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JUNE 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 1
JUNE 2017
UNDERDOG ANIMAL RESCUE
By Fran Miller
While volunteering at a local rescue shelter, Mollie Kastner became distraught over the doomed fate of the dogs thought to be unadoptable. The pups with medical and behavioral issues were not ready choices for families seeking a new pet. Thus, in an effort to rescue the rescues, Kastner started her own shelter, Underdog Animal Rescue. “I saw a lot of rescue groups saving the puppies and the cute fluffy little dogs that, to be honest, would have been adopted without the rescue’s help,” says Kastner, age 26 and a former Lafayette resident. “My one goal became to save the dogs that nobody else would save. Behind the scenes, dogs were dying because nobody gave them the time of day. They were sweet, gentle, and simply wanted to be loved. I knew that some of these dogs wouldn’t be saved if I didn’t step up and do something about it.” Underdog was established in 2014, and during the first year, Kastner fostered most of the dogs herself, at her home. Now, she has a staff of four running the or-
HERB DAY: TREAT THE PALATE; TICKLE THE IMAGINATION By Jody Morgan
The Northern California Unit of The Herb Society of America (HSA) holds its tenth annual celebration of Herb Day on Sunday, July 9 from 10am – 4pm at Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center, 315 Cortsen Road, Pleasant Hill. Free activities for all ages are planned with hands-on crafts for children as well as informative presentations and exhibits for adults. Admission and parking are also free. Vendors displaying plants and herbal products for sale are staged throughout the property leaving space for attendees to enjoy the gardens. What is an herb? Originally the term was applied to any plant that died back to the ground in winter. Eventually the term designated
See Rescue continued on page 9
MEET GERTRUDE By Alisa Corstorphine
Created for the 12th Annual Earth Day festival in cooperation with Sustainable Lafayette, artist Lara Dutto, Lamorinda elementary and junior high students, and the local high school students in the Global Student Embassy (GSE) group, a masterpiece named Gertrude/ Out of the Rising Waters sculpture came to life and now resides at the Lafayette Community Garden. The collaborative piece was created to highlight the importance of our precious water resources. Gertrude comes to life at the recent Earth Day festival. Elementary and junior high See Gertrude cont. on page 22
Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 21 Lafayette, CA
ECRWSS
Karen Mahshi and Denise Koroslev with some of the herb beds at Rodgers Ranch NCUHSA maintains. Photo by Jody Morgan.
any plant thought to be useful to mankind. Holly Shimzu defines an herb as “plants (trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, biennials, or annuals) valued historically, presently, or potentially for their flavor, fragrance, medicinal qualities, insecticidal qualities, economic or industrial use, or in the case of dyes, for the coloring material they provide (HSA’s Essential Guide to The Beginner’s Herb Garden). Herb Day gives the thirty or so active members of the Northern California Unit (NCUHSA) the chance to share their individual expertise in all aspects of the use and culture of herbs in a fun-filled event open to everyone in the community. Culinary use of herbs Volume XI - Number 6 is always a popular topic, but at Herb 3000F Danville Blvd #117 Day attendees can also discover ways to Alamo, CA 94507 use herbs in everything from household Telephone (925) 405-6397 cleaners to potpourris and natural dyes. Fax (925) 406-0547 Young folks always enjoy making leaf editor@yourmonthlypaper.com rubbings and floral head wreaths. Herbal Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher teas and herbal flavored water are avail- The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Laable for tasting.
See Herb cont. on pg. 12
fayette Today. Lafayette Today is not responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.
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PAGE 2 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JUNE 2017
MAKE MUSIC DAY – “LET THE MUSIC FILL THE AIR” ON JUNE 21 ST
Come “rock” the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Amphitheater from 6 -8:30pm for Make Music Day, a free celebration of music around the world, held on June 21st. Launched in 1982 in France as the Fête de la Musique, it is now held on the same day in more than 750 cities in 120 countries. Back by popular demand, the event will feature local home-grown musician Paul Cotruvo and his band The Flashbacks. Paul’s band will back YOU up. In the spirit of the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love participants will have 100 songs from the 60’s to choose from. You pick a song, and sign up to be the lead singer with live Karaoke. You can have your five minutes of fame. Visit www.lafayettechamber.org for details. The event is open to children and adults alike. Sign up soon as there are only 25 slots to fill. You know you always wanted to be a ROCK STAR! Don’t be shy; now; this could be your big break! Make Music Day is sponsored by Lamorinda Music, the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, and the Lafayette Chamber. pm
LAFAYETTE COMMUNITY GARDEN
The following camp and classes are held at the Lafayette Community Garden, 3932 Mt Diablo Blvd (across from and just west of Lafayette Reservoir). Classes are free. However, a $5 donation is appreciated to support these education programs.
IN THE SPIRIT OF THE LOCAL SACLAN MIWOK CAMP
• Session 1: Monday, July 10 – Thursday, July 13 ~ 8:30–11:30AM • Session 2: Monday, July 24 – Thursday, July 27 ~ 8:30–11:30AM Join instructors Peggy Magilen and Kim Curiel in the circle of a Miwok village and discover a special joy. Gather local foods, pound acorns, make tools, practice native skills, and play games and musical instruments. Your heart will enjoy Native belonging, peace, and harmony with the land and those around them. Register by June 20, 2017. For ages 8–12 years old. Fee of $55 is due at registration.
MIWOK FOR ALL
• Saturday, August 5 ~ 9:30AM - noon Children, parents, grandparents, and relations…come share in the joyous and abundant way of life of local Saclan Miwok Natives. Learn Native values sitting in connective circle, creating family names and necklaces, pounding acorns, practicing hunting skills, and enjoying games and music. Return home with a special sense of Native belonging.
WILDLIFE OF THE EAST BAY AREA: FROM THE PLEISTOCENE TO THE PRESENT
• Saturday, June 24 ~ 1 - 3:10PM The Garden is grateful to welcome back local Naturalist and Wildlife expert, James “Doc” Hale. Doc will discuss the local Pleistocene Megafauna, their extirpation, and the evolution of the East Bay Area wildlife landscape. He will also talk about his own mountain lion James (“Doc”) M. Hale, pictured with his local park Cougar and Walnut Creek Cam, is an expert on the natural and cultural history of the San Francisco Bay Area and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. fisheries research. Those who are familiar with Doc’s fascinating and informative presentations know what a special experience this will most certainly be.
TOASTMASTERS
Goal Achievers Toastmasters meetings are held every Monday from 7:15 - 8:15pm at Atria Park Lafayette, located at 1545 Pleasant Hill Road. Develop your presentation skills and become the speaker and leader you want to be. The group is open to everyone aged 18 and up. For more information, visit http://goalachievers.toastmastersclubs.org.
SUMMER OF LOVE LAFAYETTE 2017 CONCERT SERIES
FRIDAYS, 16 & 23
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love in Lafayette! Enjoy the groovy sounds of Bay Area's best cover bands! June16 will feature Dream Posse, and June 23 will showcase Barry “The Fish” Melton and his band who will wrap up the series. On Friday June 30, the city welcomes back the Lamorinda Idol Finalists to the stage. Don't freak out, man. It's free. Bell-bottoms and hippie threads are encouraged to be worn. It’s time to pull out your tie-dye favorites! Music begins at 6:30pm. Our 60's inspired “Hippie Market” along Plaza Way opens at 6pm. Stay late to jam! An acoustic hootenanny around the campfire begins at 8:30pm with special guests including Lafayette's own Stevie Coyle (The Waybacks) playing folk songs. Bring your guitar! Now in its 12th season, Rock the Plaza takes place on Friday nights in June at Lafayette’s Plaza Park at the corner of Mt. Diablo Boulevard and Moraga Road. Always free, family friendly, and fun. Bring a picnic and a blanket, or buy dinner from the dozens of restaurants located within two blocks of the Plaza. Be there or be square! Dude, if you remember the 60’s you probably weren’t there. But you won't want to miss it this second time around! For additional information visit www.lafayettefestival.com/summer-of-love-lafayette.
FREE MUSTANG CAR SHOW
The Bay Area Mustang Association presents “Ponies and Snakes,” a free judged car show featuring Mustangs and Cobras on display will be held on Sunday, June 25th from 10am to 3pm at the Danville Livery located at 400 Sycamore Valley Road West in Danville. There will be awards, live music, a charity raffle, and more. For additional information and online registration to display your car visit PoniesandSnakes.com.
SONS IN RETIREMENT
LAMORINDA BRANCH 174
Sons in Retirement Lamorinda Branch 174 is a social organization of retired and semi-retired men who enjoy our leisure time with friends and activities. Our activities are golf, bowling, bocce ball, table pool, travel, fishing, computers & technology, bridge, poker, pinochle, investing, wine tasting, walking, astronomy, stamp collecting, etc. We meet for lunch at 11am the Second Wednesday monthly at Holy Trinity Culture Center 1700 School Street, Moraga. Our guest speaker on June 14th will be Loren Acuna, who’s presentation will be “Preserving Your Trust for the Benefit of Your Legacy” she will spotlight how a neutral fiduciary can help reduce the cost of conflict between heirs and tips on how you can preserve your legacy. For attendance and membership info, call Tyler at (925) 284-5561 or visit www.branch174. sirinc2.org.
NEW YEAR
• CARPET NEW FLOORS! • HARDWOOD • CARPET RUGS • HARDWOOD CUSTOM RUGS WALNUT CREEK BRANCH 116 • RUGS LINOLEUM Walnut Creek Branch 116 Sons in Retirement, TILE for retired or semiretired men, will be holding • LINOLEUM
its 11:30am lunch meeting June 19 at the Clubhouse at Boundary Oak, 3800 Valley Vista Road, Family Owned Business Walnut Creek. The guest speaker will be Dr. Brian Since 1989 Hopkins, a board certified urologist, who will be speaking on a myriad of urological problems 3344 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette, CA of older men. The cost is $25. For reservations 925.284.4440 or information call 925-322-1160 or email branch116@gmail.com. For more information www.LamorindaFloors.com License# 708486 about our group, visit www.branch116.org.
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JUNE 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 3
BOULEVARD VIEW
By Alisa Corstorphine, Editor
Downtown Lafayette
Stenciled on the window of a Berkeley eatery there were the words, “Dietary restrictions are culinary opportunities.” As someone who works around various dietary needs amongst family and friends, that quote
FRIDAYS IN JUNE 2017 . 6 pm
It’s FREE
It’s Groovy
jumped out at me. Coming up with meal plans, or even going out to eat, can sometimes be a challenge. However, we live in a wonderful place that provides us with so many choices and a diversity of food options in restaurants, grocery stores, farmers markets, and even our own gardens. I feel I have only just tapped into the abundance of available ingredients to create from and consume, and happily it seems the opportunities are endless. As kids we ate what was put on the table. Everyone had the same thing although maybe we accessorized with a little extra salt, pepper, butter, or hot sauce. It seemed to work OK, but decades ago food allergies seemed much fewer and more obscure. I believe our evolution from hunter-gatherer to diets of fast food convenience haven’t necessarily made our lives better. When I watch food commercials on network TV channels, I see so many “foods” that are being hawked that just can’t be good for us. There’s so much artificial, processed, and sugar-loaded food being offered. The meals, snacks, and beverages are served in colors “not found in nature.” The food being promoted is so far removed from our caveman past, and it leaves me wondering, “Have we really evolved at all? Is this ‘progress?’” Last year my daughter took a job with a company called Imperfect Produce (www.imperfectproduce. com). The company’s mission is to sell “ugly” fruits and vegetables that grocery stores reject as either too big, too small, too crooked, curvy, or misshapen in some manner. A recently delivered box had apples with strange bumps on them, and they had the most wonderhow Hootenanny (brin ful flavor. Learning more about the bumps, I found they Hipp g an instrument) ie Street Fair . Post-S were healed over spots where hail had hit the apples PRESENTED BY THE LAFAYETTE LAFAYETTE CHAMBER during a critical growth time. Typically these apples would have gone to waste, but Imperfect Produce has created a new home-delivery market for them. While some of the produce fits the description of being “ugly,” much of it is gorgeous and just surplus that the farmer would have to plow-under or pay to have hauled away. Imperfect has created a market that is a win-win for both the farmer and the consumer. The selection of available produce changes week to week, and we’ve found we are being exposed to some fruits and vegetables that are new to us as well. With the plethora of recipes available on the internet, we’ve taken this bounty and looked for new “culinary opportunities” that we can create with what arrives in our box each week. We have easily found ways to explore the new-to-us selections such as burdock root and turmeric. There are also new varieties of favorites such as huckleberry potatoes and romanesco broccoli that expand our culinary horizons. It is hard to eat poorly with a fridge full of kale, squash, herbs, and melons! Trying new produce and incorporating other cuisines has set us on a fun new path of eating, and we’re all healthier as a result. It is no longer hamburger Mondays, taco Tuesdays, soup Wednesdays, pizza Thursdays, and fish Fridays. Taking these dietary needs for all into consideration, our cooking has evolved and we are now enjoying new delights such as cauliflower patties, sauerkraut, lemongrass and chili soup, chicken pot pie baked potatoes, and more. My backyard garden loved all the rain we got this year, and with the days getting longer and the weather warmer, it is delightful to be outside again. My backyard garden has started producing, which expands my cooking choices as well. I’ve already harvested herbs, greens, potatoes, and a bushel of artichokes. The NextDoor website (www.nextdoor.com) has been a great help when I have ripe produce to share quickly and easily with my neighbors. It’s a great way to pay it forward and give others the chance to explore new culinary opportunities for themselves as well.
LOVE
C HAMBE R
DESIGN: AMY DRYER DESIGN, LAFAYETTE, CA 925-283-9687 • PRINTING: MINUTEMAN PRESS, LAFAYETTE, CA 925-945-6006
PAGE 4 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JUNE 2017
SYNERGY THEATER BREAKS THE MOLD WITH A BRAND NEW SHOW
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NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH WITH YOUR SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Gopher/Mole Removal No Poison
Synergy Theater, the folks who brought you Spontaneous S h a k e s p e a re a n d The Improvised Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, returns to the Lesher Center for the Arts, at 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek,, and this time they’re taking on linear time! Whose Life is it, Anyway?, a completely improvised two-act play that, at the whim of the audience, zips backwards and forwards in the life of its main character, performs on Thursday – Saturday, July 20 – 22 at 8:15PM. “The whole point is to break up the chain of events in a person’s life and present them to the audience in a random order.” Explains Synergy Theater’s Artistic Director, Kenn Adams. “The fun is in seeing what insights we can gather from the disarray. How does the past effect the future, and how might we have done things differently if we had only known the outcome of our actions?” “It’s like pointillism in painting,” says veteran company member Lynn Shields. “Each little scene might be fun on its own, but it’s only at the end, when they all come together and resonate, that you can see the full picture and feel the full effect.” “At heart, it’s a comedy,” adds Synergy veteran Alexander Chase. “It’s just a very funny take on the vagaries of life.” Tickets costing $20 can be purchased online at http://www.lesherartscenter.org or by phone at (925) 943-7469.
925-765-4209
OPENING NIGHT PARTY: SCULPTURE IN THE GARDEN
Celebrate the unveiling of the 23rd Annual Sculpture in the Garden exhibition, and mingle with the artists. Enjoy live music by The Retroz Band and food by Roderick’s BBQ food truck. Over 50 artists from the Bay Area and beyond transform the Garden into a unique art exhibit. The sculptures line Garden pathways for a one-of-a-kind visitor experience. The event will take place on Saturday, June 17 from 5pm - 8pm at The Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. Advance ticket purchase is required. General admission is $25. Food and drinks are sold separately. For a list of featured artists and event information, please visit www. ruthbancroftgarden.org.
Lost Dog!
$50 REWARD If you find him and your name is drawn!
He is very small, so you will have to look hard if you want to find him.
Lafayette Luther is Missing He has become lost in this paper.
Send a letter telling us where you found him, along with your name and address to:
Lost Dog! Lafayette Today, 3000F Danville Blvd #117, Alamo, CA 94507
Lea Mason is our winner! Luther was hiding on page 17 last month!
Neighborhood Watch is a Community Action and Problem-Solving Program and one of the most effective means available for resolving issues within your community. Through organized problem-solving activities, your block can remove crime from your neighborhood and address any community issues that concern residents. Meetings can be held by a Crime Prevention Specialist who will share more information about the program. Please contact Christina Lind-Winters at (925) 313-2682 or clind001@so.cccounty.us for more information.
FAMILY HISTORY CENTER
The Danville Family History Center has been open and serving the community for almost two decades. Everyone is welcome during library hours to use the resources available. There is a friendly and experienced staff that volunteers to help you to utilize the materials, including the Family Search web portal to over a dozen subscription-based genealogical research services, such as Ancestry.com. In addition, you may order online and have films or microfiche shipped from the main Salt Lake Library for viewing in the Danville center. The Family History Center is located inside the Latter-day Saints building at 2949 Stone Valley Road. Enter the left side of the building. Hours are Monday 1-4 pm, Tuesday 7-9pm, and Wednesday 10-4pm and 7-9pm. For questions, call 925-552-5920.
www.yourmonthlypaper.com TWELVE YOUNG WOMEN RECEIVE AAUW-OML SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
The Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette (OML) branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) presented 12 outstanding young Lamorinda women with Tech Trek camp and college scholarships on April 23. To encourage young women to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers, where women are currently underrepresented, AAUW-OML sends middle school girls interested in science and math to Tech Trek Camp. The seven 2017 Tech Trek scholarship winners are Olivia House and Cathy Kenderski from Joaquin Moraga Intermediate, Kiara Kofoed and Katerina Bonderud from Orinda Intermediate, and Namratha Kasalanati, Isabelle Lurie, and Maia West from Stanley Intermediate. Both Olivia House and Kiara Kofoed have older sisters who were awarded scholarships to Tech Trek camp in 2015. The Tech Trek scholarship winners described their love of science and math and their future goals. Kiara Kofoed has a strong interest in computers and robotics. She hopes to apply her knowledge to have a global impact in the political arena. Katerina Bonderud is inquisitive and creative with an interest in robotics and engineering. Olivia House, who loves outer space and music, hopes to be a space roboticist. Kathy Kenderski considers herself a scientist already, with plans to become an astrophysicist and a science journalist. Isabelle Lurie makes things using a 3D printer in her Girls Maker Club and has started a Science Bowl at her school. Maia West is enthusiastic about many STEM fields, including physics, astronomy, engineering, robotics, and problem solving. Namratha Kasalanati, who is an athlete and musician, is interested in combining scientific knowledge and public policy. These girls want to make this world a better place. They were chosen after a rigorous process of being nominated by their teachers, completing an application, and being interviewed by a team of three AAUW-OML members.
HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
One thousand dollar AAUW–OML scholarships were awarded to Blake Sharp (Miramonte High School) and Cara Wolfe (Acalanes High School). A $5,000 Gail Uilkema Scholarship was awarded to Zoe Portnoff (Campolindo). Valeria Martin, a senior at Saint Mary’s College, was given a $2,000 Leadership Award. Annie Dao, also a senior at Saint Mary’s, was awarded a $5,000 Gail Uilkema Scholarship.
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OSCAR WILDE COMEDY AT TOWN HALL
Oscar Wilde’s brilliant and witty comedy, An Ideal Husband, plays at Town Hall Theatre of Lafayette through June 24. In Wilde’s timely comedy, fate catches up to politician Robert Chiltern when a mysterious woman produces a letter revealing a past misdeed. Is this a public scandal or a private shame? This play about infidelity and intrigue is one of the more serious of Wilde’s social comedies. The show focuses on the oft-times corrupt underpinnings of wealth and power, and how personal and public morality can collide. The play also takes a good-natured poke at the institution of marriage, asking audience members if it is truly possible to have an “ideal” marriage. “An Ideal Husband remains uncannily relevant today more than a century after it was first performed in 1895,” says Town Hall’s artistic director Susan Evans.
Pictured (l-r): Heather Kellogg, DC Scarpelli and Dana Lewenthal in An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde, June 1-June 24 at Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette. Photo by Stu Selland
Town Hall’s production of An Ideal Husband is directed by Susan Hovey and features an impressive ensemble of local performers including Dennis Markam as Sir Robert Chiltern and Heather Kellog as Lady Chiltern. Tickets are $20-$32 and are available through the box office at (925) 283-1557 or online at www.TownHallTheatre.com. Town Hall will host several special events for An Ideal Husband, including a pre-show literary salon on June 17 in which local literary luminaries will hold forth on the subject of “sin.” Period costumes are encouraged. In addition, on June 23 there will be an after-the-show talk-back with the director and cast members. Both special events feature small bites from the Reve Bistro in Lafayette, Town Hall’s restaurant partner for the show.
The 13U Lafayette AB Oaks took first place in their age group in the 2017 680 Diablo League tournament the weekend of May19-21 at the Twin Creeks complex in Sunnyvale. The team, coached by Advanced Baseball’s Jon Zuber, won its first game, lost its second, and won five straight to seize the trophy. Many of the students attend Stanley Middle School in Lafayette, and they all played Lafayette Little League for many years. The entire tournament for all age groups included 59 teams from 14 Bay Area cities. Team members, left to right, in picture: Back: Jack Wood, Miles Bergman, Jack Seelye, Luke Souza, Graham Oh, Dante Montgomery, Will Stryker; Front: Will Berrien, Zach Anderson, Evan Malmquist, Jack Cusumano, Connor McPhail. Photo by: Sandy Berrien
JUNE 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 5
PAGE 6 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JUNE 2017
THE BOOKWORM
By Joan Stevenson
In the dark quiet of the Friends Corner Book Shop late at night, the books open up and share their stories… “My owner, Penelope, swooped into the living room, picked me up from the coffee table where I resided comfortably, plunked me atop several other books in a brown bag from Diablo Foods, and said, ‘It’s time!’ In the car, she explained that we were going to the Friends Corner Book Shop where my new life would begin! We pulled into the library garage, and there was a space specially dedicated just for books like me: no encyclopedias, no magazines, and no audio or video cassettes. There were so many books…mountains of them. It was awesome. I listened to Penelope as she chatted with the volunteers. They told her that the bag I was in was just right. Big plastic bags are not good for books, and the huge boxes sometimes hold unwelcome spiders, small animal scat, and cocoons. I was picked up and added to a pile headed inside. I wanted to tell her my name was Leonardo, but she didn’t ask. She did tell me that I was one of 4,000 books received every week, and in the small room each book would be examined and priced. The volunteers find all kinds of items tucked in the pages…boarding passes, birthday cards, photos, and even an occasional credit card!”... Stay tuned as Leonard’s adventure at the Friend Corner Book Shop as a gently used book continues next month. No wonder the books delight in being at the Friends Corner Book Shop. They never know where their next home will be. Consider this: Juvenile Hall Librarian Noelle Burch spent two hours in the shop one morning gathering books to upgrade the library at the Martinez Juvenile hall. She was awarded a $300 gift from Moraga Rotary to be used at The Friends Corner Book Shop. Evie Michon, Friends volunteer and Moraga Rotarian, was instrumental in making this happen. Noelle filled a cart full
www.yourmonthlypaper.com of books. What an adventure awaits those books! We have some fantastic music coming this summer -- from classic to folk. Featured on June 15 at 7PM will be Roudman/Benkman Duo. Noel Benkman, piano and Rebecca Roudman, cello will perform three sonatas by Hummel, Beethoven, and Brahms. Join us on June 23 at 1 pm at the Community Hall for an afternoon with Jim Stevens. He will sing and play familiar folk, popular, and country favorites - all while sharing the stories behind these classic songs. The next Distinguished Speaker Series presentation features My Juvenile Hall Librarian Noelle Burch Love Affair With the Brain: The Life & Science of Dr. Marian Diamond. This award-winning documentary by Catherine Ryan and Gary Weimberg will be shown on June 27 from 7-9pm in the Community Hall. How can you not fall in love with a woman who carries around a preserved human brain inside a giant flowery hat box? The film follows this remarkable woman over a five-year period and introduces the viewer to both her many scientific accomplishments and the warm, funny, and thoroughly charming woman herself, who describes her 60-year career researching the human brain as pure joy. Science writer, Mary Roach returns to Science Café on June 20 at 7PM to talk about her new book, Mary Roach, Grunt, The Curious Science of Humans at War. This time she tackles the science behind some of a soldier’s most challenging adversaries; panic, exhaustion, heat, flies, and noise; and introduces us to the scientists who seek to conquer them.
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NEARBY PORT CHICAGO DISASTER LEADS TO NATIONWIDE CHANGES
By Ruth Bailey, Lafayette Historical Society
The worst American homefront disaster of World War II occurred on July 17, 1944, on Suisun Bay, just north of Concord. Residents of the East Bay and as far away as San Francisco were jolted awake by a massive explosion as ammunition, high explosives, and incendiary bombs being loaded into two ships which accidentally detonated. Everyone within 1,000 feet of the loading dock perished—the majority of the 323 men killed were African Americans, and another 233 black personnel were injured. The U.S. Navy ammo depot at Port Chicago shipped munitions to the Pacific battle zones. The July 1944 explosion was estimated to have been equal to the force of a five-kiloton atomic bomb. Along with the 323 deaths, it destroyed five ships, a diesel engine, 16 boxcars and the naval base, and it damaged the town as well as a dozen other communities as far away as 75 miles. It was one of the worst disasters in maritime history and slowed the flow of supplies to Saipan, which had just been invaded. According to Doris Kearns Goodwin’s No Ordinary Time, dramatic changes were already taking place in the Navy that summer. Newly installed Navy Secretary James Forrestal was taking unprecedented strides toward racial equality. Realizing that the vast majority of the dirty, dangerous jobs were assigned to black sailors, Forrestal proposed that negroes make up ten percent of the crews of 25 large ships. Goodwin wrote: “The experiment, which Roosevelt readily approved, worked remarkably well….(and) against even higher odds on smaller vessels, black and white crew members managed, with a minimum of fuss, to work, eat and sleep together in extremely close quarters.
Lafayette Pharmacy window after Port Chicago explosion. In his LHS oral history, lifelong Lafayette resident Dave Long remembers: “My folks had gone to a movie, and I was home alone. Those were hot summer nights, and I had a cot to put out in the front yard where I’d sleep when it was so hot. I was lying there in bed looking up at the sky, and all of a sudden it turned bright as daylight…kind of a red glow to it. I remember the hair prickling on my neck, it was so strange. And then, in about 8 or 9 seconds—the biggest noise you ever heard! It took that long for the sound to travel all that way. And then just a huge boom and a clear cracking blast and all through the neighborhood you could hear, ‘What’s that? What’s that?’ People were all excited about it. It knocked out every plate glass window on the south side of the main street of Lafayette. They were just gone! My folks got home real quick, and we didn’t know what happened until the next day.”
Forrestal’s innovation came none too soon, for the bloody tragedy at the ammunition depot at Port Chicago provided unmistakable evidence of the bankruptcy of the Navy’s old segregation policy.” Sociologist Robert Allen observed that “this single stunning disaster accounted for more than 15 percent of all black naval casualties during the war.” The loss of so many black sailors at once focused public attention on the injustice of racial discrimination in the Navy, motivating Forrestal to press even more strongly for equality of treatment for blacks. In the weeks
JUNE 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 7
LAFAYETTE SPRING MARKET UPDATE
By Erin Martin
Before the calendar turns to summer and folks start to head for vacation, it is a good time to take stock and understand how Lafayette real estate has performed over the last year. Below is a summary of Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data for Lafayette residential detached home sales over the last 12 months, from May 2016 to April 2017 (the prior-year comparison is from May 2015 to April 2016). Inventory remains tight with the number of transactions down 14% (273 vs. 318). The average sales price is down by 2% ($1.539M vs. $1.576M), but this is a result of smaller homes being sold (the average home sold square footage was 2,580 vs. 2,728, a 5% decrease). The metric that matters most, price per square foot, is up 3% ($611 vs. $591). This is great news for Lafayette residents and reflective of the recent strong spring selling season. While in May a fair amount of homes has recently come on the market, I anticipate the market will work through the inventory in a few months and be right back to a market as competitive to what we have routinely been seeing over the last 2-3 years. Below I have broken down the metrics to give you a better sense of market values by home size. Total Lafayette: 273 transactions; sales price average of $1.539M, high of $5.082M and low of $0.635M; sales price per Sq. Ft. average of $611, high of $994 and low of $287. Homes < 1,500 Sq. Ft.: 29 transactions; sales price average of $0.974M, high of $1.265M and low of $0.635M; sales price per Sq. Ft. average of $755, high of $946 and low of $529. Homes 1,501 – 2,500 Sq. Ft.: 126 transactions; sales price average of $1.220M, high of $2.200M and low of $0.773M; sales price per Sq. Ft. average of $614, high of $994 and low of $340. Homes 2,501 – 3,500 Sq. Ft.: 68 transactions; sales price average of $1.645M, high of $2.615M and low of $0.925M; sales price per Sq. Ft. average of $559, high of $858 and low of $287. Homes > 3,501 Sq. Ft.: 50 transactions; sales price average of $2.525M, high of $5.082M and low of $1.325M; sales price per Sq. Ft. average of $590, high of $892 and low of $334. To see my complete write-up and an interactive map of every Lafayette home sold over the last two years, including all the corresponding details, please visit my website at www.erinmartinhomes.com/2017spring-market-update/. Please feel free to email me or call with your real estate questions. I can be reached at erin@erinmartinhomes.com or at (925) 951-3817. Advertorial that followed, he moved in several directions at once: assigning white work units to Port Chicago and other ammo depots; stating that he no longer [would maintain] separate facilities and quotas for negroes who qualified for advanced training; appointing more negroes to the Navy’s V-12 program; insisting on their admittance to the Naval Academy, and issuing a farreaching “Guide to Command of Negro Naval Personnel.” In this guide, the Navy stated for the first time that it accepted “no theories of racial differences in inborn ability, but expects that every man wearing its uniform be trained and used in accord with his maximum individual performance.” The Guide was called an outstanding document in the field of race relations. In 2009, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial was established as the 392nd unit of the National Park Service, honoring those who lost their lives or were affected by the July 17, 1944, explosion. As the tragedy and its aftermath illuminated the issues of segregation and racial inequality in the military and today, the Memorial serves as a springboard for exploring social justice in our society. Port Chicago Naval Magazine Memorial is located on an active military base. Tours are available by reservation made at least two weeks prior to your visit. To learn more, visit www.nps.gov/poch or call 925-228-8860.
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PAGE 8 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JUNE 2017
SUSTAINABLE LAFAYETTE TIP OF THE MONTH
KEEPING COOL IN YOUR HOME
Some folks are willing to blast the A/C non-stop from June through September, but that’s an expensive and energy-inefficient way to handle our hot summer days. Many of us don’t have air-conditioned houses. Some who do are loath to flip the switch because of the cost and lack of “fresh” air…or both. So what are some wallet- and eco-friendly solutions to a heat wave?
CLOSE YOUR WINDOWS, BLINDS AND SHADES
On a hot summer day, opening windows will often make your home warmer, not cooler. At night, when the air outside is cooler than inside, open windows wide, particularly those oriented toward prevailing winds so you can take advantage of cross ventilation. Be sure to close windows, along with blinds and shades, before the sun hits your house in the morning. Also, put houseplants in front of sunny windows to absorb some of the sun’s energy. Finally, close off rooms you’re not using.
SHUT OFF THE LIGHTS
If you have been needing a push to switch from incandescent light bulbs, now’s the time. Old-style bulbs can produce as much heat as they do light. It’s always a good idea to shut off lights to save energy, but on hot summer days, it’s doubly important to do it so you can keep room temperatures down. The same goes for many electronics. Consider unplugging any device that isn’t needed. Even in standby mode, many electronics remain hot.
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EAT COLD MEALS OR BBQ
Just as drinking a nice cold beverage cools your body, eating cold food helps keep your internal temperature lower on a hot day. But if salads and gazpacho aren’t your thing, light up the grill. Your oven and stove only make the kitchen hotter.
USE FANS STRATEGICALLY
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• Ceiling fans: Make sure your fan is running in the right direction. In (925) 939 - 8 300 the summer, you should feel the breeze from your fan blowing down (you can also use ceiling fans in winter to create an updraft). • Stand-alone fans: When placed directly in front of you, these fans help keep you cool. Use a spray bottle to spritz yourself while in front of the fan, and you can dramatically change your temperature. As the water evaporates off your skin, your body sheds heat.
INSTALL AWNINGS
Like trees, awnings can save you money on energy bills by cutting down on the heat your house absorbs.
TAKE A COLD SHOWER OR GO SWIMMING
It may sound obvious, but it’s worth saying: If you’re hot, lower your core temperature by immersing yourself in cold water.Unless there’s 100% humidity, the evaporation of water off your skin will further cool you once you emerge from the water. For a shortcut, dab cold water or ice cubes on your wrists. Because your blood vessels are so close to the skin there, you’ll feel the cooling effects sooner.
INSTALL ATTIC INSULATION
While attic fans may or may not help to significantly cool your home, attic insulation can by keeping cooler air in your home from escaping through the ceiling. If you have central air, be sure to seal ducts — especially at vents and registers — or else you could lose up to 20% of your cooled air.
PLANT TREES STRATEGICALLY
Your house gets hot because the sun beats down on it. Let nature help reduce your energy bills by planting deciduous trees on the east and west sides of your home; in the summer, their broad leaves will shade your house, while in the winter, bare branches won’t stop the sun’s warmth from reaching your walls. Also, consider planting trees or shrubs to shade high-heat areas — air conditioning units that emit heat, for instance, and driveways and walkways that absorb it. Sustainable Lafayette is committed to inspiring residents to develop more sustainable lifestyles. Check out our website at sustainablelafayette.org and “like” us on Facebook.
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JUNE 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 9
Rescue continued from front page
ganization and a network of 20 foster families who provide homes for dogs. She admits the group’s greatest challenge is finding limits. “I regularly see dogs in the shelter that do not present well (nipping, very fearful), and I have a hard time walking away from them,” she says. “Some of them do wonderfully once out of the shelter, but others don’t. This takes up a lot of our time and resources. We are always working on our parameters for what we know we can handle when it comes to a dog’s behavior. For example, at the moment, we are no longer taking dogs that are not dog friendly. They deserve a chance too, but we are simply learning how much we can stretch ourselves and still stay afloat.” Kastner says her greatest need is more committed foster homes. “Some people think they can help, but they don’t realize what it takes to help a dog that is coming directly from the shelter,” she says. “You basically need to be a crazy dog person that wants to put that dog’s needs before your own. We have a few wonderful people that fit that description, and we couldn’t do it without them.” Underdog’s foster families are located throughout the East Bay and as far as Sacramento. A fostered dog is typically in-home anywhere from a week to a few months. Typical medical conditions include broken bones that need repair or severe skin allergies. Most pups are between two and three years in age, and the majority tend to be Pit Bulls and Chihuahuas. Kastner suspects that for many families, this is the time when they realize the dog isn’t a good fit or perhaps needs additional training they aren’t willing to provide. She admits that fostering is not always easy. “Most people want to foster, but they think the dog will be perfect, lazy, and polite as can be,” she says. “We just need people who understand the reality of these dogs and are willing to put in a bit of work. Admittedly, it’s hard to find the fosters willing to do whatever it takes. Some dogs need training, such as bringing them out in public if they’re timid and helping them become socialized, helping them meet dogs without being intimidated and reactive.” Kastner and her group saved 210 dogs last year. She finds her rescues online; via Petfinder, Adoptapet, and via Facebook postings; and most come from Contra Costa Animal Services with whom she works closely. Underdog’s greatest need is funding; Kastner calculates that each rescue costs approximately $450 – more for extreme medical issues. “It might cost $2,000 to get a pup the medical care he needs,” she says. “But once he’s healthy, he’s adoptable.” In addition to her work with Underdog, Kastner is employed fulltime at a children’s adoption agency in Orinda. “Somehow I manage to do both,” she says. “Although my boyfriend will be the first to tell you that I’m constantly on my phone doing dog stuff when I’m not at work!” For more information on Underdog Animal Rescue, visit www.underdogca.com.
CINEMA CLASSICS By Peggy Horn
GREEN CARD
This month’s Cinema Classic is, Green Card, (1990) starring Gerard Depardieu and Andie MacDowell. The film was directed, produced and written by an Australian, Peter Weir, and it received not only an Academy Award nomination for Best Screenplay, but it also secured the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Gerard Depardieu won the Golden Globe for Best Actor for his performance in this movie. Summer brings to mind travel and my own personal experience living six years in France, or five years and eleven months as my more exacting husband would say. At regular intervals we had to make the anxiety-provoking trip to the French Bureau for Foreigners, “the Prefecture,” and renew our visas in order to remain in France. Georges Foray (Gerard Depardieu) is a illegal alien from France, and remaining in the United States requires a green card. He marries Bronte Parrish (Andie MacDowell), who is an American citizen, expressly to thereby obtain the ability to remain in the United States. Bronte needs a husband to apply for a wonderful New York apartment. Afterward, they each go their own way, until the Immigration authorities wish to conduct a routine visit, and Bronte must hunt Georges down. They try to make it seem as if they are a normal, married couple. When one of the Immigration officials asks to use the bathroom, Georges misdirects him to a broom closet. Now the Immigration officials are suspicious and require another, more rigorous interview. Luckily, Georges and Bronte have a little time to prepare. In the process of getting to know each other for purposes of convincing the Immigration authorities theirs is not a sham marriage, Georges and Bronte discover they have feelings for each other. This is a cute movie. It entertains with humor and a spoonful (a soupcon!) of reality. Light and breezy, it is fun to watch the romance develop between the two main characters, and they are both good in their respective roles. Check it out for yourself. I rented it on Xfinity “On Demand.”
MUSICAL NOTES
Lic# 1100014354; Bay Area Entertainment
Because the movie has a French flavor, a French selection is suggested. The selection is “The Flower Duet,” from the opera Lakme by Leo Delibes. It is a duet for two sopranos and was first performed in Paris in1883.
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PAGE 10 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JUNE 2017
QUICK TRIPS
BROOKS ISLAND By Linda Summers Pirkle
The headlines “Osprey Hatchling Thrills Birdwatchers” in a local newspaper caught my eye. Who doesn’t like good thrilling news these days? Young sea hawks named Rosie and Richmond have been the subject of a live web-cam with an audience of over 24,000 viewers. The nest where all the action is taking place is located 75 feet above ground on a decommissioned World War II Whirley crane on the shoreline near Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond. Birdwatchers, scientists, and anyone who has been watching the drama unfold were thrilled with the hatching of the first fledgling on May 12 and the second chick on May 14. If you Google the site Osprey in Richmond, you can see the nest and the new chicks. Look beyond the nest in a couple of the photos, and you will see the subject of my article: Brooks Island, a 75-acre piece of land with a 159-foot peak and 2.5 miles of walking trails. The island’s unique history includes Indigenous Ohlone peoples as well as goat and oyster farmers. Today it is managed by the East Bay Regional Park District as a preserve and bird sanctuary. Access to Brooks Island is limited to certain times of the day due to the tides, weather conditions, and mud flats that surround the island, so I was excited to be one of the fortunate few on the first expedition this year. We boarded Dolphin Charters at 7:15AM from Berkeley Marina with Sara Fetterly, Supervising Naturalist. Our group of 25 (the maximum for each tour) learned about the unique history of the island and with binoculars were able to spot all kinds of birds. We even learned how to tell the gender of Oystercatchers (all females have full eye flecks and males have either slight eye flecks or no eye flecks). In 1848, when it was known as Isla de Carmen, it became a part of the U.S. In 1853, the name was changed to Brooks Island and was also known as “Sheep Island” where goats grazed. Ironically, the nearby Island Yerba Buena was known as “Goat Island” was where sheep were raised—no goats. In 1962, “Sheep Island” was leased to Bing Crosby and his group of gun club associates who escaped the paparazzi for afternoons while hunting pheasant. Our guide pointed out the huge BBQ pit the Hollywood crowd used when Bing and his cronies entertained. “Trader Vic” Bergeron of restaurant fame was a frequent visitor and often was chef for the day. Matt, the caretaker and only human inhabitant of Brooks Island, greeted us when we arrived at the dock. Our naturalist Sara explained, “Matt’s job as caretaker is to protect the island and its natural resources. This includes the nesting colony of Caspian terns.” Visitors are only allowed on the main part of the island as part of a naturalist led tour, so Matt patrols the island and makes sure that unauthorized boaters don’t try to land. Over one hundred bird species are visitors to the island. In addition to Caspian terns, there are Canada geese, egrets, osprey, and others, all with nests on the island. Just as we were pulling into the dock we saw an Osprey that had built her nest on a wooden tower off shore. Our group hiked along a pathway through wildflowers up the only hill on the island where we were rewarded with a spectacular panoramic 360º view of the BayArea. Tours last five hours including the boat ride to and from the island. Guided tours are available by reservation only. The Park District also leads public kayak tours to the island. Call the District Reservations office at (510) 636-1684 at least one month in advance of your planned visit. Information about Ospreys and how local residents can help them is available on the website that hosts the nest video stream, SFBayOspreys.org. Linda Summers Pirkle, travel consultant and long term Danville resident, has arranged and led tours for the Town of Danville for several years. Inspired by the many wonderful places to visit in the Bay Area, she organizes day trips, either for groups or for friends and family. “What a great place to live, so much to see, so much to do.” To share your “Quick Trips” ideas, email Coverthemap@gmail.com.
A TASTE OF JAPAN
By Andrea Lucash, Alamo World Travel
In preparation for the 2020 Olympics, I decided to take a quick five-day trip to Japan, spending three days in modern Tokyo and two in traditional Japan. Tokyo by far has to be the cleanest and quietest city in the world. Everyone is so polite and respectful of others. Talking on cell phones is not permitted on the subways, but texting certainly is and thus the quietness. While walking on the city streets, I barely saw anyone talking on their cell phone or heard any cars beeping horns. The taxi drivers have an automatic door which opens to let you in and are incredibly clean. Even though the peak time of the year for cherry blossoms was about 10 days prior to my arrival, I was still lucky enough to see some in bloom and learn about the different varieties. On a clear day, you can see a view of the magnificent Mt. Fuji, a two-hour ride from Tokyo. Besides exploring the unique shopping in Tokyo, I recommend going to watch Sumo wrestlers practice at a training facility. You sit on a mat on the floor and watch them stretch, exercise, and practice. So much is going on in the ring. It is a show! In the evening, I went to the Robot Restaurant show which can only be described as a mix of Mardi Gras and the Disney Main Street Electrical Parade with robots. There’s a lot of music, energy, and lights, and it’s certainly an experience not to be missed. After my three days in Tokyo, I took the bullet train to Kyoto, passing many rice fields being prepared for the growing season. Upon arrival, I hopped on the local train to the bamboo forest. It was very peaceful and quiet. On a windy day, you could see the trees swaying and hear bamboo music. After the bamboo forest, I hopped back on the local train to the Fushimi Inari shrine. You probably have seen many pictures of this famous shrine and its red-orange tori gates snaking up the mountain. The hike is about 2 ½ miles and takes about 2 1/2 hours. If you’re not a hiker, you can still walk through some of the gates; they’re amazing to see. The following day I took a private tour with one of our destination specialists. I highly recommend private tours, as they can be customized to your preferences. Interestingly, my guide was not of Japanese origin, and this offered a unique perspective on the Japanese culture. He has lived in Kyoto for 22 years, and his belief in Zen Buddhism is what brought him there. We visited the highlights of Kyoto, which included the Ninji Castle, the Golden Pavilion, a Zen Buddhism garden, and the local market. At the market, I tried some matcha ice cream and grilled mochi. I was also quite surprised to learn the high price of fruits and vegetables. Sticker shock was beyond words. Now I know why my meals in Japan consisted of very small portions of vegetables. After the market we went to one of my favorite activities, geisha watching. My guide took me to a secret street to watch the geishas coming and going. He told me that if we saw paparazzi, we knew the geishas would be out that evening. Boy, was he right. The geishas walk quickly, so it was challenging to capture that moment in a picture/video. While watching the geishas, my guide explained the five years of training it takes to officially become a geisha. My visit to Japan was a short but memorable experience. I can only think about my return to visit more shrines and villages. Japanese ramen, sashimi, and heated toilet seats are awaiting you. I would recommend every traveler put Japan on their bucket list. I look forward to helping you plan your itinerary to Asia and learn about new cultures. Please call me at (925) 837-8742 ext. 19 or email me at alucash@alamoworld. com for assistance with planning your itinerary to Asia and experiencing a new culture. Advertorial
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JUNE 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 11
WALKING THE RESERVOIR
By Jim Scala
Aboard Ship. Crystal Symphony is traveling to New York via the Panama Canal with stops in Central America and the Caribbean. A ten-circuit deck walk equals one res-walk. There are no hills, but the wind can be strong. The Panama Canal, a Water Ladder. In 1513, after Balboa discovered and trekked across the Isthmus, people soon proposed a canal connecting the Pacific and Caribbean. But it wasn’t until 1880 that French engineers started a sea level ditch-canal through the Panamanian hills. About 22,000 people died during the building of the canal, mostly from Malaria. The project went broke, and the French were forced to quit. In 1903, American engineers had a different plan. They built a 1.5-mile dam, 105 feet above sea level, to create103 square mile Gatun Lake – then the world’s largest man-made lake. They built a water ladder with three locks on each side to raise ships to lake level and return them to sea level. Since the area gets 130 inches of rainfall annually, there is enough water to let gravity fill the locks, and the water flows back into the sea. I stood on our bow as we waited to enter the first lock and looked up at the stern of the ship ahead of us as the huge doors closed. A slow-motion illustration of great engineering unfolded as it was lifted. We entered, the huge lock doors closed behind us, and the water slowly entered and raised us 28 feet to the next level. Then I rushed to the stern as we pulled ahead and watched a container ship enter the lock we just left. That big ship behind and below ours made the water ladder concept come alive. We entered Gatun Lake for the voyage across. The Gatun locks lowered us to the Caribbean. The entire crossing took about ten hours. The locks are 1,000 feet long, 110 wide, and 42 deep, making the maximum ship length 965 feet. Panama’s new locks are 1,200 by 160 and 60 feet deep, which increases the capacity by about 60% for the new wider and deeper
ships to transit. In addition, the new system reuses over 60% of the water. Both systems will remain in force, allowing much more shipping to pass through Panama. The old locks handled 5% of the world’s commerce, and the new additional locks will almost triple that. A Flying Saucer. Huatulco, Mexico, and San Juan, Nicaragua are small, seaside, resort cities, which both countries are building into destination beach resorts. They occupy large coves that have wide beaches, abundant sea life, and ancient Inca and Mayan artifacts. Huatulco derives all its electrical energy from wind power, and San Jose is close. Carl Sagan put snorkeling in perspective when he said, “Jim, imagine you’re in a flying saucer looking down on an alien world. Forget everything and try to interpret the life you see.” In both these areas I observed a wide variety of life among the rocks, including a small octopus that swam out from under a rock after a meal. A fish bumped me away as I swam near a nest occupied with small fish in a large hollowed out bowl. Interpreting it, as Carl proposed, led me to conclude that life focuses on survival. Dolphins and Birds. As we sailed with clear skies and smooth seas, vast areas of the ocean were occasionally turned white by a large school of dolphins chasing schools of smaller fish. Many sea birds swooped down to grab a meal as smaller fish were forced to the surface. It’s similar to the Thursday fish stocking at the reservoir as pelicans and cormorants swoop in for a meal. Cities and Sameness. Many years ago when I traveled to Panama City and Cartagena, the cities were not very built up and had an architectural character consistent with a much less affluent lifestyle. This time, I was struck with how much that view has changed. We were looking at any modern American, Asian, or Mediterranean seaside city with tall glass buildings exhibiting gracefully curved modern architecture. Their old world forts and cathedrals are still there, but from a distance there’s a sameness. Cartagena’s unique fort, with its 12-foot thick walls, remains a lesson of the past, while tall modern buildings slowly surround it. Cristobel Colon. He didn’t know where he was going; he got there and didn’t know where he was, so he returned and didn’t know where he’d been; Christopher Columbus. Let me hear from you at jscala2@comcast.net.
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PAGE 12 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JUNE 2017
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LAFAYETTE BOY SCOUT TROOP 200 ANNOUNCES FOUR NEW EAGLE SCOUTS
Boy Scout Troop 200, sponsored by Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and under the leadership of scoutmaster Mark Weyland, announced the elevation of four scouts to the Eagle Scout Rank, the highest rank in Scouting. Robert J. Sicotte, Diego K. Mountin, Andrew James Bassak, and Alexander D. Kaviani each were recognized for earning the rank of Eagle Scout at a recently held Court of Honor ceremony. As a member of Troop 200, Robert J. Sicotte held many leadership positions. He earned 28 merit badges, and he completed the difficult requirements for the God and Country Four Star Award over a period of twelve years. Sicotte was previously inducted into Boy Scouting’s National Honor Society, Order of the Arrow. For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Rob converted interior space at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church into staff offices. His project began with the disassembly and removal of a roller door and subsequent construction of a back wall from studs and drywall. Rob also built an interior wall and framed a doorway. Finish work on the project included texturing all walls and painting. Diego K. Mountin began his scouting career as a Tiger Cub with Pack 233 at Happy Valley Elementary. As a member of Troop 200, Mountin held numerous leadership positions. He earned 50 merit badges, the World Conservation crest, and his Red Cross CPR and Wilderness Survival certifications. Last summer, Mountin had the privilege of joining scouts and scouters from his troop on a trip to Philmont, one of the BSA’s four national high adventure camps. Over the course of 12 days, he hiked over 100 miles between elevations of 8,000 to 12,000 feet and carried nearly 50 pounds of gear in the mountains of northern New Mexico. For his Eagle Project, Mountin coordinated a group of volunteers that sanded, Clockwise from top left, Alexander D. Kaviani, Robert J. Sicotte, Diego K. Mountin, stained, and varnished two sets of new cabinets for Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and Andrew James Bassak (seated). Photo by Terry Riggins over the course of a weekend. Under his direction, scout and adult volunteers completed the project that took more than 30 man-hours. Andrew James (“A.J.”) Bassak began his scouting career as a Tiger Cub with Pack 200, at Springhill Elementary. As a Boy Scout with Troop 200, Bassak completed BSA’s National Youth Leadership Training, and employed and honed his leadership skills while serving in numerous leadership positions. Bassak was honored to be elected by his peers to be a Wolfeboro Pioneer and to be a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s National Honor Society. As a Scout, Bassak earned 36 Merit Badges, with Welding being his favorite and Personal Management being “most likely to be useful in life.” Bassak is very proud to have earned the NOVA award (BSA’s STEM award) and BSA’s National Outdoor Awards in Camping, Aquatics, and Adventure. For his Eagle Scout Project, Bassak designed and led the execution of the structural rehabilitation of a large deck at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. The project included hydraulically lifting the deck to replace a rotted major footing and the rebuilding of a dilapidated stairway and railings. Alexander D. Kaviani began his scouting career as a Cub Scout with Pack 200. He then bridged to Troop 200, and as a member of the Troop Kaviani held numerous leadership positions. He earned 29 merit badges on his path to Eagle Scout. For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Kaviani led an effort to make comfort packs for foster children in Contra Costa County. The project required raising money for purchasing supplies, working with local business for donations, and managing a team of scouts to assemble the comfort packs to help hundreds of children in the area. Under his direction, scouts and adult volunteers completed the project that took more than 150 man hours.
Herb continued from front page Karen Mahshi, long-term NCUHSA member, will once again be offering 20 or more different jams. Her most popular marmalade is blood orange. Among her blends, the ones that sell out the fastest include
Karen Mahshi, NCUHSA member, sells 20 different jams and a half dozen marmalade varieties at Herb Day. Photo courtesy of NCUHSA.
rhubarb. Karen joined the unit in 1978, shortly after relocating to California. In early May, her incredible talents were recognized at the national HSA convention as she received the Joanna McQuail Reed Award for the Artistic Use of Herbs. Although her exquisite herbal-themed quilts should have been sufficient for the judging, Karen’s submission for recognition also included culinary products, lavender wands, rose bead necklaces, booklets on individual herbs, and newsletter articles. Mahshi became interested in herbs while a student at Cornell University. She found housing with a Professor of Botany whose wife, Minnie Muenscher, was engaged in working on recipes for her local herb group. As she helped to test those recipes, Karen became intrigued. As Mahshi recalls, Minnie was an award-winning HSA member, even though her Ithaca, New York organization was not an HSA affiliate. Denise Koroslev, current NCUHSA Co-Chair along with Martha Scheer, recalls: “I found the information table for The Herb Society and met Karen Mahshi while walking around the displays at Borges Ranch Heritage Day. The local unit was meeting in members’ homes at that time, but as I was also involved in the restoration of Rodgers Ranch, I realized the potential of the 1860’s ranch to become both meeting place for the society and site of herb gardens they could use for research and education.” One of the herb gardens at the ranch was built from bricks recycled during the restoration of the 19th century chimney. Interest in the healing properties of herbs was so prevalent in the 19th century that Shaker religious communities, first established in the Eastern US following the Revolutionary War, created special drying, extracting, and packaging facilities to ship their products to Europe as well as
See Herb continued on page 20
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JUNE 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 13
ENERGY CURRENTS
MANAGING THE FUTURE By Mark Becker, GoSimple Solar
In the world of renewable energy, there are many nation-states which have differing approaches to the adoption of renewable energy and differing long-term success rates resulting from the initial adoption approach. Some of the statistics are surprising, and some statistics are not. Delving into the demographics brings some clarity as to why some nations are bigger adopters than others. Some, like the citizens of North Korea, adopt out of necessity, because of their incredibly unreliable electric grid. They’ll spend a month’s wage on a 50-watt solar panel and small battery just to charge or run small household items. The reasons for the high renewable energy adoption rate in California are pretty obvious, at least to those whom have solar PV systems installed: The prime motivator is financial. For most homes and businesses, the rates of financial return (IRR/ROI) on solar PV typically best the stock market even in a bull year. Other nation’s citizens, like those from Bangladesh, adopt out of a different necessity: unavailability of a power grid in the remote places where most of the citizens live. The quality of life improvements provided by even a very small solar PV panel and a battery are huge. Small solar panels provide light and computer power for their schools and homes, and to power their mobile phones. Nations with very high adoption rates, such as Belize (60%+ adoption rate, their stated goal is 100%), adopt out of progressive thinking, environmental concerns, AND resource availability. Other nations adopt renewables and mandate certain technologies for security reasons: Israel mandates solar hot water heaters, is developing more of an internal renewable portfolio, and is leveraging newly discovered natural gas resources to try to limit the future import of hydrocarbon fuels from other nations that are not traditionally allies. Over 40% of Israel’s natural gas comes from Egypt. Europe pursues renewables because Russia is the major natural gas supplier in the region, and we all know Russia has a reputation as being at best a quirky citizen on the world stage. Germany and France are tired of being held energy hostage by their Russian neighbor to the east. The Russian and Ukrainian gas disputes have stimulated a renewables push in the Ukraine as well. Canada: What an interesting story our neighbors to the north have. The Province of Ontario adopted the first North American “Feed In Tariff “ program to forward a progressive agenda. For each kilowatt of electricity provided by solar or wind exported to the grid, the utility pays a premium to the owner of the solar or wind plant. As a result, solar and renewable manufacturing and installation businesses thrived. However, the payments ended up being an over-reach, and backlash has now resulted. The backlash will probably have a negative effect for the long-term positives that more renewables can bring when the nuclear plants begin to go off line in Ontario 20-25 years from now. Long-term planning to stabilize our energy future is a must. China is the world’s biggest polluter, and in response, to their credit has become the world’s biggest adopter of solar and renewables. Renewable energy, by definition, is clean energy. However, other tactics are required to get their pollution (which rains down on Japan and even North America) in check. Some nations or “city states” such as Hong Kong and Singapore simply don’t have the real estate to be able to accommodate a significant amount of rooftop distributed renewable energy systems, utility scale solar PV, or wind generator systems. Those of us in PGE territory may be subjected to high electricity rates, but we’re not held hostage by the utility because of the renewables market our legislature and the California Public Utility Commission helped create; we have options. In California, solar has advantaged all economic classes of citizens through solar leases and power purchase agreements. Although now much less part of the market because of new solar finance purchasing options, this deployment has leveled the playing field for solar adoption to all citizens, providing there was a reasonable credit score to back the investment risk. California’s adoption of renewables has been more measured than Germany’s and Ontario’s, and it will provide better long-term benefits. Although security, environmental benefits, and grid stability accompany America’s choice to pursue renewable energy, we’re fortunate that these are not the primary motivator for us to “go green.” The “real green” is the financial benefit. Mark Becker is the President and business owner of GoSimpleSolar, by Semper Fidelis Construction Inc, CSLB 948715. GoSimpleSolar is one of the very few solar PV installers utilizing both licensed roofers and licensed electricians for installation work, project managed by a solar PV NABCEP professional. For more Advertorial information, call 925-331-8011, visit www.GoSimpleSolar.com, or stop by the showroom at 115 West Linda Mesa Avenue, Danville.
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PAGE 14 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JUNE 2017
CONTRA COSTA PARENT PARTNER PROGRAM HELPS REUNITE FAMILIES
By Supervisor Candace Andersen, Contra Costa County, District 2
The County has the responsibility of overseeing the foster care of children in our community whose parents cannot care for them. Where possible, we want to reunify children with their parents. From its unremarkable beginning in 2003, Contra Costa’s Parent Partner Program has grown into a remarkable model that has changed the face of Child Welfare in the Bay Area, California, and beyond. Parent partner programs bring together parents currently in the child welfare system with parents who were involved with the child welfare system in the past and succeeded in being reunited with their children. The mentorship that parent partners provide brings hope, realistic expectations, support, and guidance to parents working toward reunification. Parent Partners collaborate with social workers and providers to meet the needs of families, assist in policy and program development, change perceptions in communities, and facilitate trainings and learning opportunities. Contra Costa County Children and Family Services (CFS) was already a very successful Child Welfare provider with state-of-the-art Independent Living Program, next-generation foster parent training and support, as well as innovative community collaborations when the Parent Partner program began 14 year ago. CFS invited parents who had been successfully reunified with their children to act as mentors for parents currently going through the system. In this role, they act as a coach, teacher, advocate, and counselor to the families they serve. Drawing on their own experience in successfully navigating the child welfare system, they help parents understand their rights and responsibilities while connecting them with the resources they need. Some are also bilingual, working with both monolingual and English-speaking families. Parent Partner Venny Mondragon explains, “My previous experience working in substance abuse treatment helped me to develop the compassion and clear focus that inspires positive change in the families I now serve here in Contra Costa County. I’ve also overcome some significant obstacles of my own. Growing up witnessing violence and being involved with the criminal justice system at a young age, I found a way to break old patterns and become a role model to my son, while earning the respect of the community, judges, social workers, and other client-serving professionals. In 2013, I was recognized as a Man of Merit for demonstrating that violence does not equal strength and for the impact I’ve made throughout my life as a result of these positive changes.” The idea for the program began with a System of Care Grant, the development of a model, and the hiring of exactly the right Parent Partners who could be supportive and nurturing and yet explain to parents the realities of their situation in a “straight talk” kind of way. Parent Partners would take their calls at times the offices were closed and when no one else was available: on their children’s birthdays, holidays, and times they felt discouraged. From the beginning, Parent Partners chose to believe that people who know better do better, so they coached the parents and taught them the skills that they needed to be successful. They reached out to fathers who felt marginalized, parents in substance abuse treatment programs, and those in the West County Detention Facility. The Parent Partners were the face of hope: they could honestly say, “If I could get my children back, so can you. Let me show you how.” The outcomes have been far greater than CFS ever expected. Parents who had Parent Partners have been approximately 50 percent more likely to be reunified with their children and 50 percent less likely to experience recidivism. In 2008, CFS collaborated with the Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) of Contra Costa County which assumed the day-to-day responsibilities of administering the program that continued to be housed in the county buildings and interface seamlessly with county staff and services. The remarkable outcomes did not go unnoticed, and in the ensuing years, Contra Costa County’s Parent Partner Program became a national model for peer support programs. It has been modified and replicated in various counties in California and throughout the United States. Recently, it received international attention with a request to host a visitor from Australia who wants to understand the model in order to replicate it Down Under. To get a firsthand look at how this innovative approach works, view a video by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRZT2telOoo. The video features Dave Mason, one of eleven Parent Partners who teaches other parents how to leverage services and create safe, healthy environments while becoming self-sufficient. For more information about the Parent Partner program, contact Judith Knittel at (925) 602-6956. My office is here to serve the residents of Contra Costa County District 2, which includes San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Walnut Creek, Saranap, Parkmead, Lafayette, Moraga, Canyon, and Orinda. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can provide you with additional information on this topic or on other County issues. I can be reached at SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us or (925) 957-8860.
WINE CELLARS – PART 2
By Monica Chappell
With your wine cellar contents assembled, where should you store your stash? Storing wine is a subject shrouded in mystery – some of it well earned by wine’s fragile nature, but all of it easily boiled down to a few basic principles. You may have a cool, quiet basement corner with all the characteristics you need to store your wines. If not, explore the broad range of cellar equipment, from freestanding units to customized rooms, available from cellar specialists. Either way, the following strategies can keep your wines healthy until the happy moment in which they grace your glass.
TEMPERATURE
• Keep it consistent. Wine responds to changes in temperature by expanding and contracting in the bottle. When things warm up, the liquid can push against the cork and break the airtight seal, threatening to oxidize and over-age the wine far before its time. Avoid temperature fluctuations to minimize the risk of broken seals and seeping air. • Keep it cool. Wine ages faster in warmer temperatures, so cool rules when it comes to longevity. Most experts agree that 55F is ideal for
storing wine, although you can feel confident about a wine’s comfort at 65F and below, especially when the temperature remains constant. If the temperature of your storage area exceeds 70F, your wines are cooking, and you’ll provably want to consider storing professionally or purchasing a temperature-controlled cellar.
HUMIDITY: KEEP YOUR CORKS HAPPY AND DAMP
Lack of humidity dries out corks, causing them to shrink and allow enemy air into the bottle. A humid atmosphere, on the other had, keeps corks plump and firm to maintain a tight seal. Expert recommendations for optimal humidity range from a minimum of 50-70 percent to a maximum of 75-95 percent. If you don’t have a way to measure the humidity of your storage spot, it’s generally better to err on the damp side.
LIGHT: KEEP IT DARK
Ultraviolet light gives wine sunburns, with white wines (especially those in clear bottles) more susceptible to the damaging effect of daylight than reds. The ideal storage area is pitch black, though turning on an eclectic light while you look for a bottle won’t hurt.
MOVEMENT: KEEP IT STILL
Wine doesn’t like to be jostled, bumped, or vibrated. Like most of us, it prefers to age in peace. Don’t store your wines near the hum of washers, dryers, fans, or traffic and resist the urge to take them out dancing.
See Wine continued on page 21
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JUNE 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 15
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COMPUTER SECURITY IN THE ERA OF WANNACRY By Evan Corstorphine, Portable CIO, Inc.
You may have read about the recent world-wide ransomware attack called “WannaCry.” It shone a bright light on a problem that has become exponentially worse in the last few years. The malware and viruses being released today are “weaponized grade” software that were largely developed by government agencies (CIA, NSA) and released into the wild through “WikiLeaks.” These are no longer simple programs the kids next door wrote. These were written by governments for spying and penetrating targets, and they have been co-opted by criminal syndicates who will enrich themselves on the backs of the unprepared. Fighting back takes an organized, layered approach, and it is far more involved than an average person is going to know how to do themselves or have the time to research. It is not enough to simply “avoid bad websites” or to “not open questionable emails” from people you don’t know. Many people don’t understand that you can get infected without clicking a single thing on a website, or even by simply receiving an email with a toxic payload; you don’t have to open the email to become infected. Website spoofing and phishing emails make criminal actions look perfectly legitimate. Pop-ups can take over your system and encourage you to call fake, predatory companies who are posing as legitimate industry leaders. These people are experts at being criminals; can you say you are an expert at spotting them? You need a security partner and a layered strategy for dealing with these threats. Ransomware encrypts and destroys the data on your computer. When you’re hit, the only way to recover is to pay the ransom or to rebuild your computer and restore with backups of your files. Otherwise your data, which may include your documents, pictures, financial records, etc., will be lost. These criminals will make billions on the misery of millions. While we never know exactly what the next threat will be, there are proven and effective technologies to reduce your risk, for BOTH PC and Macs. We have combined our tools and best-practice strategies into to offerings: Total Security Package (TSP) for businesses and a Workstation Security Package (WSP) for homes.
Using our specialized tools, we’ve developed a solid recipe to minimize your risk and provide you with a safety net. There are no guarantees, but there are several specific, important things we are doing to address these threats. When your systems are covered, you have the best protection from extortion and destruction, and your security is administrated by experts. Highlights of our package include: • Computer Anti-virus and Anti-malware, both monitored from a central console. • A system which manages your security patches and updates. Many exploits can be avoided if your system is religiously kept up to date. • Network protection via DNS denial technology, which provides: •Protection from ransomware by denying access to known malicious websites. •Customizable category-based content protection, for preventing any specific web content from being accessed from within your network. • Proactive security management by the PCIO Helpdesk team. Our systems and staff watch for any sign of improper activity, and adjust your defenses in the background. • Built-in tools for faster remote support in time of need. • Intelligent systems will quickly throw a wall around problems that occur and alert PCIO staff. Do you have backups? If the computers you rely on were suddenly blank, what would you miss? Could your business survive? What would it cost? Are you certain your data is reliably backed up? How much can you stand to lose? If the thought of that makes your heart skip a beat, let’s discuss and implement better backups immediately. We have backup plans to meet every budget and ensure your data is safe. If you don’t have backups yet, this is the time to add them. PCIO is staffed by experienced people you know and trust. We will watch over your systems and alleviate the worry of maintaining them in today’s increasingly complex internet environment. Our goal is to keep your data safe and accessible. Data security requires experience, partnership and a plan. We provide all three. Security Packages range from $25-$35/month per system plus a low set-up fee per site. Unlimited and per-GB backup solutions are available for workstations and servers alike. Secure and redundant HIPAA and SEC-compliant cloud-storage is available for your data. We can help you with every aspect of your computing infrastructure. Call us at 925-552-7953 ext 3 to speak with us about your needs and to setup your plan today. Or email helpdesk@pcioit.com if you’d like to set up a meeting to discuss your security, network, or backup infrastructure. I look forward to helping Advertorial you safely navigate your data security and storage needs.
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PAGE 16 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JUNE 2017
REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
By George M. Noceti, CRPS® -Wealth Advisor and Paul A. Noceti, Financial Planning Specialist, Integra Group at Morgan Stanley
One rule that the government makes for you is requiring that you withdraw at least some of your retirement funds annually, depending on your age and the account type. This is known as a required minimum distribution, or RMD, and it must be taken from your retirement accounts (other than Roth IRAs) by December 31 each year, starting the year after you turn age 70½.1 Generally, an RMD is determined using uniform life expectancy tables that take into consideration the account owner’s and/or account beneficiary’s age and marital status, as well as their account balance(s) as of December 31 of the year prior to the distribution year. The exact distribution amount changes from year to year. It is calculated by dividing an account’s year-end value by the distribution period determined by the Internal Revenue Service (see table below). For instance, an account holder with a $100,000 traditional IRA at age 75 would need to withdraw $4,367 ($100,000/22.9), or 4.37% of the total balance. Uniform Lifetime Table for Required Minimum Distributions Age
70 27.4
75 22.9
80 18.7
85 14.8
90 11.4
95 8.6
100 6.3
105 4.5
This table shows required minimum distribution periods for tax-deferred accounts for unmarried owners, married owners whose spouses are not more than 10 years younger than the account owner and married owners whose spouses are not the sole beneficiaries of their accounts. Source: IRS Publication 590-B.
Here are some important considerations for those entering the distribution phase of their investing lives. You can pick the account(s) you withdraw from... If you have more than one of the same type of retirement account--such as multiple traditional IRAs--you can either take individual RMDs from each account or aggregate your total account values and withdraw this amount from one account. As long as your total RMD value is withdrawn, you will have satisfied the IRS requirement. … Unless they are two different types of accounts. If you own more than one type of account, such as an IRA and an employer-sponsored plan account, you’ll need to calculate your RMD for both types of accounts separately and
take the proper amount from each. You may be able to defer if you’re still working. If you are still employed at age 70½, you may be able to defer taking RMDs from your employer-sponsored plan until after you retire. You’ll need to check with your employer to see if this applies to you. The implications can be severe for failing to comply. If you fail to take your full RMD, the IRS may assess an excise tax of up to 50% on the amount you should have withdrawn and you’ll have to take the distribution. Taxes are still due upon withdrawal. You will probably face a full or partial tax bite for your distributions, depending on whether your traditional IRA was funded with nondeductible contributions. Note also that the amount you are required to withdraw may bump you up into a higher tax bracket. You can donate your RMDs to charity. If you are an IRA owner you can contribute up to $100,000 of your IRA directly to qualified charities and have it count toward your RMD. If you’ve inherited an IRA, these donations are allowable as long as you are over age 70½. Roth IRAs are exempt. If you own a Roth IRA, you don’t need to take an RMD. However, note that any distributions taken from a Roth IRA do not count toward your RMD amount, and restrictions apply to the beneficiaries of inherited Roth IRAs. Also note that the RMD rules do apply to Roth 401(k)s. Like many tax rules, those governing minimum distributions can be complex. Don’t wait till end of year to begin calculating your RMD and withdrawing funds. Contact us for further information on how our advice can better help you plan financially for you and your family. Also contact us for a complimentary Financial Plan review, Long Term Care review, Medicare review, or Social Security review at (925)746-2982, via email at george.noceti@morganstanley. com, or visit our website at www.ms.com/fa/theintegragroup. Connect on LinkedIn: George M. Noceti, CRPS®. Follow me on Twitter: @GNocetiMS. Sources/Disclaimer - IRS Publication 590-B;1Your first RMD may be postponed until April 1 in the year after you turn age 70½. The opinions expressed by the authors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. The information and data in the article or publication has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Neither the information provided nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation by Morgan Stanley with respect to the purchase or sale of any security, investment, strategy or product that may be mentioned. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice and are not “fiduciaries” (under the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise) with respect to the services or activities described herein except as otherwise provided in writing by Morgan Stanley. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors regarding any potential tax and related consequences of any investments made under an IRA. © 2017 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 1562952 04/17 Advertorial
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There are several exciting volunteer opportunities at Mt. Diablo State Park over the upcoming months. Projects needing assistance are: • Maintaining and improving hiking trails throughout the park • Control of invasive plants, such as yellow star thistle • Repairing and repainting park facilities, such as fences, picnic tables, and outhouses Service projects out in nature tend be excellent team-building activities, and they can support feelings of cooperation and respect among school groups, community organizations, and co-workers. Projects can accommodate a range of participant ages and group sizes, and a work day for weekends or week days can be planned. Volunteer Field Projects Coordinator can work with you and your organization to design a project that will make a significant contribution to our beautiful park, and that will be a fun and memorable experience for you and your organization. For answers to questions and for more information, contact Silas Ellison at 925-837-6122, 925-837-6819, by cell phone at 617-335-6833, or by email at silas.ellison@parks.ca.gov.
SEARCH AND RESCUE
The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team needs volunteer members to respond to missing person incidents, disasters, and other critical incidents. Team members are on call 24/7 year-round. The program provides required training; including wilderness traveling, first aid, map and compass usage, tracking disaster response, and search skills; and may also include special training for canine, equestrian, technical, mountain bike, or other rescue skills. For information and applications, visit www.contracostasar.org or call 925-646-4461.
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JUNE 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 17
WHAT IF YOUR INHERITANCE IS DUE, BUT YOU’RE BEING LEFT IN THE DARK?
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By Robert J. Silverman, Esq.
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What if a deceased loved one made provisions for you to inherit all or some of his assets, and yet after a reasonable period of time you ArE You Doing ThE SAME Thing have received no significant correspondence, documents, information, or distributions? This is way more common ovEr AnD ovEr ExpECTing than it should be. A DiffErEnT ouTCoME? The rights of the inheritor (beneficiary) and the obligations of the estate representative depend upon whether the decedent had a Living ThE onLY SErviCE offEring Trust or just a Will (or neither). In any event, estate representatives DEEp TMS in ThE Tri-vALLEY are legally obliged to provide meaningful, timely information to beneficiaries and heirs of the decedent. If the person from whom you were to inherit had no Living Trust Call for a and owned more than $150,000 of assets in his or her name (other than free consultation joint accounts or those governed by beneficiary designation), the assets will be subject to Probate – a court-supervised estate administration proceeding. FDA 4185 Blackhawk Plaza Circle The Probate proceeding is typically initiated by someone like me Approved Danville, CA 94506 - a Trust/Estate attorney. Such attorney is hired by the executor who is nominated in the decedent’s Will (or if there’s no Will, then usually Several insurances accepted by a close relative who petitions to be appointed administrator; the equivalent of an executor). I then prepare and file with the Probate VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR FACEBOOK PAGE Court a Petition for Probate and extensive related paperwork and advise www.blackhawktms.com the executor during the many months while the probate is pending. The process is overseen by the judge, whose primary purpose is to protect the estate’s beneficiaries. Pursuant to many laws, local rules, and oversight by the judge, beneficiaries are generally well protected during the probate process. Thus, this article focuses more on situations in which the decedent planned well by establishing and fully funding a Revocable Living Trust. In such cases, probate is avoided and the administration of the Trust is handled privately, without court intervention or oversight by a judge. The successor trustee nominated in the Trust document handles the administration. So, what obligations do trustees have, and what rights do Trust beneficiaries have? First, within 60 days of a Trust becoming partly or fully irrevocable (e.g. upon the death of the person who established the Trust), trustees must send a “Trustee Notification,” containing certain prescribed information about the trust administration, to all beneficiaries and heirs. This mandatory notification informs the recipients, in part, that they may request a full and complete copy of the Trust. Of course, every recipient should make this request and then read the Trust carefully. The trustee also has a fiduciary duty – that is, a duty to act in the best interest of all of the Trust beneficiaries, a trustee has specific duties, including to timely keep the beneficiaries reasonably informed; provide an accounting of the Trust assets, income and expenses; faithfully follow the Trust terms and conditions; and distribute to the beneficiaries their Trust shares. Often, I hear from clients, prospective clients and professional advisors about beneficiaries who are being kept in the dark about their inheritance. Sadly, some beneficiaries mistakenly think that their only choice is to wait indefinitely and hope that the trustee eventually provides them with material information and distributions. I have been hired to advocate for many Trust beneficiaries. In most cases, after I make reasonable requests of the trustee or his attorney, things resolve amicably. Litigation is infrequently necessary. Fortunately, when litigation is initiated, Judges tend to be sympathetic to beneficiaries who have been ignored or mistreated, and harsh on trustees who have been recalcitrant. Trust and (probate/estate) beneficiaries should not be shy about hiring an attorney to be advised about: their rights and the Trustee’s obligations; and what demands should be made to ensure that their rights are protected. * Estate Planning * Trust Administration & Probate * Real Estate * Business Please contact the author to request a complimentary: i) “Estate Planning Primer”; ii) Real Estate titling brochure; iii) introductory meeting. Mr. Silverman is an attorney with R. Silverman Law Group which is located at 1855 Olympic Blvd., Suite 125, Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 705-4474; rsilverman@rsilvermanlaw.com.
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PAGE 18 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JUNE 2017
THE ART OF SCREENING
By Blaine Brende & Joe Lamb
Trees and shrubs provide many valuable services in the urban ecosystem. One of the most important, from the perspective of homeowners, is screening for privacy and to hide undesired objects. Well-placed foliage can keep out prying eyes and enhance personal safety, and a view of beautiful leaves and branches gives more pleasure than the view of a neighbor’s garage. Over the long run, preserving a living screen requires planning and judicious pruning. Plants grow toward the sun; they maximize foliage where there is most light. As trees mature, the density of the canopy can act as an umbrella and shade out the interior lower branches, which causes them to die. To see a clear example of this, look at a mature oak in the forest. The majority of foliage is in the outer shell; the interior is bare. This natural phenomenon works well for plants in the wild, but it may not succeed well for your screening needs. Luckily, there are ways to avoid this loss of valuable screening. All strategies for maintaining screen involve keeping sunlight flowing to interior branches. Sufficient light on the leaves reduces dieback. It is best to act before the screen is compromised (an ounce of pruning is better than a ton of replanting). In plants with latent buds, English laurels for example, trunks can re-sprout even after interior branches have withered. However, many species lack latent buds and are incapable of re-sprouting, and for those species preventative medicine is the only medicine. Even for species with latent buds, keeping branches healthy is much easier, and more effective, than reinvigorating them. • Eliminate light competition from surrounding plants. Evaluate the plants growing near your screen plants to see if they are casting a shadow on branches critical to screening. Plants shading out important screen
GARDENING WITH KATE
By Kathleen Guillaume
Lafayette Gardening Club has regionally renowned flower arrangers and, up until the passing of Dariel Alexander, had five flower arrangers invited to design for the prestigious ‘Bouquets to Arts’ held yearly each spring at the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco. If you have not been to this event, it is something you might want to add to your spring schedule. I was browsing the Annie’s Annuals site (www.anniesannuals.com) and saw a book that I would love to add to my collection. The book is Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden: Grow, Harvest and Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms by Erin Benzakian and Julie Chai. The first cut-flower garden I ever saw was at the Chase estate in Hope Ranch, Santa Barbara which had acres of landscaped gardens with a legion of grounds keepers, and across from the main house and drive sat the gardener’s cottage and the cutting garden for the floral arrangements that would grace the rooms of the main house. It was a real treat for a young child. My grandfather was the foreman for Hope Ranch and would often take me in his truck around to check in on the crews that kept this development pristine. It was a working lemon and avocado ranch on the periphery and an upscale residential development overlooking the Pacific. It was complete with many grounds crews to maintain the golf course, the polo grounds and site landscaping, like the long palm drive that marks the entry. One of the most luxurious things that money allows is fresh and artistic floral arrangements, good foods and wines, and good linens...the rest is all just ‘stuff.’ You do not have to be tremendously wealthy to have the beauty of floral bouquets in each room. It is an art, but it is a learnable art. Lafayette Garden Club used to have a once-a-year meeting where members all contributed to a floral arrangement display, and amazingly many people who had thought that they were not at all creative came in with the most astounding arrangements. They still have floral arrangers as part of the
www.yourmonthlypaper.com plants can be removed, or they can be thinned and shaped to increase illumination of screening branches. • Thin the screen plants themselves. This may seem counter intuitive, but the exterior of the screen plant may be shading its interior. It is not uncommon to see 40-foot pittosporums that look like balloons, with the only green occurring in the canopy. To revitalize, it is generally best to remove all dead wood, thin the top heavily, and even thin the screen area. The goal is to maintain layers of green from the edge of the canopy through the interior. A thick, multi-layered screen is less prone to failure. If it is not acceptable to lose any bottom screen, even temporarily, a good compromise is to thin those portions above the screen area. Thinning only one portion of the tree is an aesthetic challenge, but it can be done. • Shape the tops of screen plants. It is sometimes possible to shape back the tops of screen plants to allow more light to reach the lower branches. Our philosophy of pruning requires that the overall beauty of the plants be considered in all pruning cuts. Because health and beauty are often synonymous, we have found that bringing light into the interior usually enhances tree aesthetics. What do you do if you have already lost the screen? It is difficult to get branches to grow back once they have died, but radically thinning or lowering the plant may induce growth in lower foliage. Unfortunately, this is hard to achieve without sacrificing the aesthetics of your trees and shrubs. Sometimes it is possible to fill the gap with shade-loving plants. Other times the only solution might be to remove the plant and start over. Each case is different. If you need help, do not hesitate to give us a call, for advice or to do the work. At Brende and Lamb, we have 20 years of experience balancing the aesthetics of your trees and shrubs and maintaining your screening needs. If your trees need a little TLC, please call 510-486-TREE (8733) or email us at bl@brendelamb.com for a free estimate. Additionally, go to our website www.brendelamb.com to see before and after pictures, Advertorial client testimonials, and work in your neighborhood. programs throughout the year and a committee that meets before each meeting to create bouquets for each table, which at the end of meetings are sold. The requirements for floral arranging is some understanding on how to hydrate plant material, familiarity with how long each cut flower and plant lasts within any given arrangement, and knowledge of how to refresh arrangements to add to their longevity. The next is to have a selection of flowers and plant material to use. You can, if you entertain a lot, wake up very early and go to the Flower Mart in San Francisco, or you can grow a cut flower garden yourself...which I find the most fun. If you are an avid gardener, you can intersperse wonderful cut flowers within your landscape design...which to keep your garden beautiful will require a considerable amount of time grooming and deadheading spent flowers to encourage reblooms. Or you can set aside a space that has a boundary that shelters the cut flower garden and vegetable garden from your main landscape. This can be done with a low fence or hedge which hides some of the gangliness of cutting flowers as they end their seasonal display. This is my favorite approach for the busier gardeners, using side gardens or garden rooms to hide ‘out of season’ perennials. The base of every flower arrangement is a wide choice of ‘greens,’ the vegetation fillers that set off the blooms. You can add shrubs that provide a variety of foliage, or you can harvest other people’s foliage in your neighborhood (always ask kindly for permission) even though technically foliage that is hanging over fences into public spaces is fair game. Perhaps you can ask a friend to bring you as a guest to a Lafayette Garden Club meeting whenever they have a renowned floral arranger scheduled to be a speaker or have a great garden to view after a meeting. You can also treat yourself to a book on cut flower gardens. An excellent site for learning how to maintain cut flowers is https://www.bbg.org/gardening/article/cutflower_care. You can also Google “floral arrangements.” One of my favorite floral designers is Ron Morgan who gives lectures at his store “Loot” and has excellent books on floral arranging at http://www.ronmorgandesigns. com/books.htm. The efforts are worth the joy. Happy Gardening!
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MENOPAUSE MATTERS
By Timothy Leach, MD, FACOG, CNMP
Menopause is an obvious marker of ovarian aging. Chronological age is a poor predictor of when menopause occurs, and women vary widely in their menopausal transition. The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) defines menopause as 12 months after the final menstrual period (FNP). In 2011 a multidisciplinary, multinational consensus workshop, “The Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW),” divided the menopausal transition into two premenopausal and two post-menopausal time frames. The importance is how these time frames relate to the symptoms patient’s experience and how those symptoms might be managed medically. The Early Pre-Menopause transition’s time frame is variable and defined by the persistent difference of seven days or more in cycle length on consecutive cycles. The Late Pre-Menopause transition typically lasts one to three years and is characterized by cycles interspersed by 60 consecutive days (or longer) of not bleeding. In the Early Pre-Menopause transition, extra eggs can be recruited mid-cycle which can lead to an overproduction of estrogen which may result in breast pain, migraines, and heavy bleeding. These wide fluctuations in hormone levels may also be one of the triggers that lead to hot flashes and night sweats (which can occur during the day). The final menstrual period is always determined by looking backwards 12 months. This is the beginning of an Early Post-Menopause that typically lasts for two to three years. Vasomotor symptoms are most likely occurring by this time if not already starting in late pre-menopause. The end of the Early Post-Menopause is about three to six years after the FNP and is typically when estradiol levels are low and stabilize. The Late Post-Menopause begins five to six years after the FMP and continues for your remaining life span. Further changes in reproductive endocrine function are limited, and somatic aging predominates. This phase can be marked by increasing genitourinary symptoms (burning, dryness, painful intimacy, and bladder infection like symptoms), which may not end, unlike hot flashes, which for most women may only last six to seven years. The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) was one of the largest U.S. prevention studies including 161,000 menopausal women. It was the first (and probably last) randomized controlled study intended to look at the benefits (reduction in hot flashes and genitourinary symptoms) and risk (breast cancer and stroke) of hormone replacement therapy compared to a placebo. Launched in 1991 with the first results released in 2002, the WHI (https://www.whi.org) focused on strategies for preventing heart disease, breast, and colorectal cancer, and osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women. Since the trial ended in 2005, more than 115,000 WHI participants have continued providing health information that is being used to investigate a variety of key women’s health questions. More then 90,000 of these women are still alive and in active follow-up across all 50 states. In July 2002, one component of the WHI, which studied the use of estrogen (E) + progesterone (P) in a woman who had a uterus, was stopped early because the health risks exceeded the health benefits. The main reason for stopping the E+P study was because of a 26% increase in the risk for breast cancer. In March 2004, a second component of the WHI, which studied estrogen-only therapy in women who no longer had a uterus (prior hysterectomy), was stopped early. This was primarily because of an increased risk for strokes. What women heard around the world for the first time was that this elixir called hormone replacement therapy (HRT) obtained from the fountain of youth was potentially harmful. Overnight the majority of postmenopausal women stopped their HRT cold turkey out of fear that it was harmful. This memory still rings loud and clear when I ask women for their first impression when I say the words, “hormone replacement therapy.” Yes it was true; this was the first time since HRT had been promulgated in Robert A. Wilson MD’s 1968 book Feminine Forever (supported by Wyeth, a drug company making Premarin/Provera that was sold to Pfizer pharmaceuticals in 2009), that it was found that post-menopausal hormones may be hazardous to your health. Ten years has elapsed since the WHI trial was closed, allowing more nuanced conclusions. The current NAMS consensus on HRT use is based on the age of the patient and when in her menopausal transition she started HRT. I won’t give away the ending of the story if I say that HRT should be offered only to those women who are having symptomatic hot flashes or genitourinary changes. NAMS is dedicated to helping clinicians and menopausal patients understand the significant benefits and small but reasonable risks in the women who choose to take HRT. Visit my website at www.leachobgyn.com for links to resources and our Facebook page: Timothy Leach MD for more information. My office is located at 110 Tampico, Suite 210 in Walnut Creek. Please call us at 925-935-6952. Advertorial
JUNE 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 19
TIME TO MAKE STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER
By Tiffany Svahn, MD
As a medical oncologist in the Bay Area for 11 years, I’ve been honored to meet many courageous, strong, and empowered breast cancer survivors. Our group, Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group, has been a Flagship Sponsor of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC) in Walnut Creek since its inception seven years ago. MSABC has increased breast cancer awareness locally and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society and breast cancer research. As a team, our physicians and staff enjoy participating in this 5K walk alongside our patients, their families, co-workers, friends, and neighbors. Breast cancer is a very important health issue for women and is the most common cancer. As of March 2017 there are over 3.1 million women in the United States who are breast cancer survivors…that’s a lot of women to stand, walk, and run for! This high survivorship rates is due to improvements in screening, earlier diagnosis, and advancements in treatments. About one in eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Fortunately, we are actually curing more than 90% of women diagnosed with this disease. And for those breast cancer patients who cannot be cured, advances in therapies allow us to treat and manage incurable breast cancer as a chronic disease, like diabetes and heart disease. Create your own team or join us, Team DVO. Stronger together, we can Make Strides Against Breast Cancer! MSABC takes place at Heather Farms Park in Walnut Creek on Saturday, June 17. Registration opens at 8AM and the walk begins around 9AM. Tiffany Svahn, MD is a board certified Medical Oncologist with Diablo Valley Oncology. Dr. Svahn specializes in treating patients with breast cancer. Dr. Svahn sees patients at Diablo Valley Oncology’s comprehensive cancer center, located at the California Cancer and Research Institute in Pleasant Hill and at their satellite office in San Ramon. For more information, call (925)677-5041. Advertorial
BRAINWAVES BY BETSY STREETER
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PAGE 20 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JUNE 2017
YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITIONIST
HOW MUCH PROTEIN DO I REALLY NEED EACH DAY? By Linda Michaelis RD, MS
This new year I have evaluated many food diaries that clients bring in, and often I see they are not consuming enough protein. I tell them this easily explains why they are feeling hungry all the time and have endless cravings for sweets. The question I often get is, “How much protein do I really need to reach my weight loss goal, as well as build muscle and feel my best?” I tell my clients the food label is upside down. Protein is the last item listed on the label, where it should be the first. It is the most important food group and is very easily overlooked. Protein is expressed in grams as if we are on the metric system, rather than in ounces or pounds which typically is how we purchase protein in our markets. We need to know how many grams of protein is equal to an ounce. Let me use my favorite example with clients: the golden standard cereal Kashi Go Lean. Kashi Go Lean has 13 grams of protein for a 1 cup serving. If you learn that 1 oz of protein is equal to 7 grams, then you will see that you are getting almost 2 oz of protein from the cereal. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is established by The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences. It is based on your bodyweight. It is suggested that individuals consume 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight for a healthy adult, or roughly 54 grams daily for a 150 pound female or 71 grams daily for a 195 pound male. This calculation does not factor in exercise, and I find it overestimates protein needs for overweight or obese people. For my active clients and those who workout often, this amount of protein is far too low. I always recommend to veer on higher protein intake. I create personalized protein recommendations for my clients based on their lifestyle, age, exercise, and health concerns. I suggest that protein should
Herb continued from page 12
throughout the United States. They offered seeds for culinary herbs along with their medicinal preparations. Amy Bess Miller’s Shaker Herbs: A History and Compendium quotes extensively from primary source documents. She cites Edward Fowler from an unreferenced writing stating that even in cultivated society the
be distributed mostly during the day as opposed to eating the large traditional protein meal. This eating style keeps you more satisfied, and prevents blood sugar fluctuations and cravings for sweets. I educate my clients about the fact that protein takes several hours to digest and creates a fullness that you will not get from a carbohydrate based meal. When I work with a new client, I first set up a meal plan for them with specific amounts of protein to eat at each meal and snack. I teach them how to make sure they are getting at least two ounces of protein at breakfast, such as with the favorite Kashi Go Lean, 1 whole egg and egg whites with veggies and 100% whole wheat toast, or even oatmeal and Greek yogurt. I make it a point to create a list of protein snacks that are portable and tasty such as beef jerky, portion sized almonds, one cup of cottage cheese, bean soup, or peanut butter with celery or apple. I make sure that lunch contains at least 4-6 oz. of protein along with a healthy grain and a cup of veggies. I put together a yummy list of lunches that can be taken to work or eaten at clients’ favorite lunch spots. I encourage parents to make sure that their kids are eating protein-based lunches that prevent them from coming home from school famished and snacking all afternoon. Clients are always surprised that I tell them for dinner we do not need protein if we have had the amounts that I suggest in prior meals and snacks. The feedback I get is that when dinner comes around, they are not as hungry as they use to be and are good with less protein at night. Many of my clients say that trainers tell them that they need more protein and recommend protein shakes galore. I think protein shakes are great for pre or post workouts but often are not filling enough to last for several hours. Contrary to popular belief, studies have shown that consuming more protein than recommended does not lead to increase in muscle size or strength. There is a limit to the rate at which protein can be synthesized into muscle, and muscle size is determined by genetic makeup and training programs, not by how much protein one eats. Insurance Companies Cover Nutritional Counseling. Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Net, Sutter , UHC. Please visit LindaRD.com for more information about your nutritional concerns. Call me at (925) 855-0150 Advertorial or e-mail me at lifeweight1@yahoo.com. two hundred varieties, and purchase from the South, and West, and from Europe, some thirty or forty others …” A Shaker catalogue from 1874 lists prices for 405 herbs, roots, seeds, and bark. By 1933, when seven women came together in Ipswich, Massachusetts, to talk about their mutual enthusiasm for herbal lore, the Shakers and their mail order seed and herbal preparation businesses were all but forgotten. (Shakers were prohibited from bringing their own offspring into the world to perpetuate their way of life.) The Herb Society those enterprising women founded was formally incorporated in Massachusetts in 1935. In 1946, The Society boasted 282 members with six units. HSA is dedicated to “promoting the knowledge, use and delight of herbs through educational programs, research and sharing the experience of its
See Herb continued on page 21
The selection of plants offered for sale at Herb Day is extensive, thanks to Morning Sun Herb Farm. Photo courtesy of NCUHSA.
majority of persons were ignorant not only of botany in general, but more specifically of the “character and nutritive properties of the most distinguished products of vegetable matter.” Interviewed for an article for the American Journal of Pharmacy published about the time when Rodgers Ranch was settled, Fowler states: “Of indigenous plants we collect about
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THE HIDDEN MAGIC OF FAT
By Dr. Barbara Persons
As time goes on, we acquire excess fat in some areas, while we lose volume in others. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could zap fat from our thighs, arms, abdomen, or chin and put it in our face, buttocks, or breasts? The great news is – we can! Liposuction has long been a popular plastic surgery procedure. Recently, a patient in my office was astonished by how many variations I offer, from suction lipectomies, to power-assisted liposuction (Microaire), to ultrasound assisted high definition liposuction (Vaser), and laser liposuction. Liposuction is also the first step in a procedure called fat grafting, which takes fat cells from unwanted areas and uses them to enhance and fill others. During fat grafting, fat is suctioned from impacted areas of the body using a fine, blunt tipped cannula that looks like a piece of spaghetti. This fat is then sterilized by washing away everything except for the fat, growth factors, and plasma. Then, syringes are filled with this fat and used to add volume to the desired body parts. Fat really is liquid gold. Looking at it in a syringe before it is delicately placed into its new area of the body reveals its glistening gold color. The injected fat grows naturally without any reaction and adapts to its new location because it’s still within your own body! About 50% of volume of the fat thrives in its new home. Fat grafting is also one of the newest advancements in breast augmentation procedures. You can remove fat from any area of the body and have it placed in the breasts. This procedure can achieve half a cup size per fat grafting session, and it’s about the same price as augmentation with implants. It’s natural and effective because you are using your own cells to enhance your look and feel. Now, I am not just talking about women. Men commonly have excess fat in their chest and flanks which can effect their physique. These issues can be handled through liposuction and fat grafting as well. I cannot count the number of women who have brought their own partners in for a little “work” after they saw the magic of fat grafting for themselves. Something important to note regarding liposuction and fat grafting is that you should be at a stable weight before undergoing the procedure. You are born with the same number of fat cells that you die with – unless some are surgically removed. However, even if fat cells are removed, if a patient fails to change their diet and activity level, the remaining fat cells will grow in size and fill back in the area that was surgically altered. This explains the misconception that after liposuction fat moves from one place to another. This is inaccurate – fat doesn’t move, it just increases in volume because of its capacity to suck up fatty acids. Fat grafting can be great when it comes to enhancing your youthful appearance. We at Persons Plastic Surgery offer a variety of safe fat grafting and liposuction services to achieve your dream look. Contact us to learn more! Persons Plastic Surgery, Inc. is located at 911 Moraga Rd, Suite 205 in Lafayette. To contact me call 925-283-4012 or email drbarb@personsplasticsurgery.com. Advertorial
Wine continued from page 14 POSITION: KEEP THEM ON THEIR SIDES
Wines are stored on their sides to keep their corks wet and seals tight. This is essentially humidity control from the inside of the bottle. Your wine savings account is now open. Can you sense the interest accruing already? Monica Chappell is a wine writer and educator – wineappreciation101@ gmail.com.
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JUNE 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 21
Herb continued from page 20
members with the community.” HSA took root in California in 1948 and grew by 1953 to sufficient size to support being divided into Southern and Northern California Units. Both her daughter Betty Rollins and granddaughter Julia Kulmann have continued the work of Bette Butler Dibble, founder of NCUHSA. Special interest groups as well as the general organization met in members’ homes until Koroslev offered Rodgers Ranch as a venue for monthly get-togethers. Mahshi recalls that the women involved had traveled extensively and frequently selected themes for culinary projects such as “All Along the Danube” involving preparation of recipes from the cuisine of each country bordering the river. Fresh herbs are easy to find at Farmers’ Markets and supermarkets these days, but 50 years ago they were luxuries even connoisseurs had trouble purchasing if they didn’t have space to grow the plants themselves. Food Editor for the New York Times for many years commencing in 1957, Craig Claiborne writes in the introduction to the 1984 edition of Cooking with Herbs and Spices, “I remember the days when I would print a recipe using shallots and have to describe in detail what they were and how they were flavored and offer a mail order source for procuring them. Fresh dill was a rarity, and for the vast majority of Americans fresh or dried tarragon was very much a novelty among flavors.” A similar report comes from Sheryl and Mel London, co-authors of The Herb & Spice Cookbook. Shortly after it opened in 1959, they dined at the Four Seasons Restaurant in New York and were given an after-dinner tour of the kitchen. “We do not remember what we ate that evening, and we certainly don’t remember what the bill was, but we still carry the memory of fresh herbs being plucked and minced and scattered and mixed right there in the kitchen of the Four Seasons.” The herbs were growing in pots arrayed on shelves above the preparation areas, which inspired the couple to plant their first herb garden in their own living room. In 1960, HSA began planning sponsorship of the National Herb Garden at the National Arboretum in Washington, DC. In 1980, after successfully lobbying Congress for matching funds, HSA members witnessed the completion and dedication of the garden they envisioned. Today HSA has 47 units throughout the US and Canada. The Green Bridges initiative promotes the establishment and/or protection of ecosystems that provide safe passage for pollinators through contiguous corridors of native vegetation. NCUHSA welcomes non-members with an interest in learning more about herbs to come to one of their monthly meetings to explore the possibility of joining their non-profit group. Monthly gatherings at Rodgers Ranch typically occur the second Sunday of each month at 1:30 pm. However, some meetings involve field trips and offsite outreach projects, so contact ncuhsa@gmail.com or call 925-330-1773 for the current calendar. Meetings include presentations by speakers and workshops. Membership in the local unit includes membership in the national organization with access to the extensive herbal data base as well as reciprocal discounts at participating gardens and preferred vendors of the American Horticultural Society. Visit www.herbsociety.org for more information.
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PAGE 22 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JUNE 2017
EVENTS FOR LAFAYETTE SENIORS
All classes are held at the Lafayette Senior Center (LSC), located at 500 Saint Mary’s Rd in Lafayette, unless otherwise noted. Space is limited. Please call (925) 284-5050 to reserve a spot. Unless otherwise mentioned, events are free for members and $10 for non-members. Friday Connections at the Lafayette Library Every Friday • 1PM – 3PM • Lafayette Library & Learning Center - Join the gathering at the Lafayette Library for a variety of activities including speakers, games, film screenings, presentations, and more. Catch up with old friends or meet new ones over refreshments! Check with library staff or the online calendar (tinyurl.com/ lafcalendar) for each week’s activities and meeting room. For more info, contact Chris Gray at (925) 385-2288 or cgray@ccclib.org. Let’s Do Lunch! 1st Tuesday monthly • 11:30AM - Discover and explore the various dining experiences in the Lamorinda area. Relax, dine, meet new people, socialize, and enjoy lively conversation! Space is limited. Contact Lafayette Senior Services for the schedule of restaurants and to make your reservations: Seniors@LoveLafayette.org or 284-5050. Individuals will pay for their own lunches; the restaurants will provide separate checks. This interest group is offered in conjunction with Lamorinda Village. Apple Basics 1st & 3rd Thursday monthly • 10:30AM – noon • Elderberry Room, LSC - This ongoing series covers many topics such as Apple IDs, iTunes, iCloud, and the basics of iPad and iPhone usage. Topics for upcoming sessions are based on participants’ input and needs. There is always time for Q&A at the end of each class. Please note: this series deals with Apple devices only. Lamorinda Dance Social Wednesdays • 1 – 3:30PM • Live Oak Room, LSC - Enjoy afternoon dancing every Wednesday, and learn some great new dance moves. On the first Wednesday monthly, professional dancers Karen and Michael will provide a dance lesson and live DJ services, playing your favorites and taking requests. Words of Wisdom...From the Philosophical to the Lighthearted 3rd Tuesday monthly • 10:30AM – noon • Sequoia Room, LSC - Share your opinions with us in a freewheeling exchange of ideas: from current events to philosophy to the inspirational. There may be agreement or there may be different opinions -- it’s all in the spirit of learning, sharing, enrichment, and good humor. Our “elder perspective” frequently sounds a lot like wisdom! Reservoir Walking Group Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays • 9:30AM – AM 11 • Meet at the reservoir at 9:20AM at the center bench on the dam - Come for camaraderie, fresh air, and enjoyable exercise, all in magnificent surroundings. Optional bonus: at the end of the walk, Jim will lead you through easy yoga poses and breathing exercises in the most beautiful outdoor yoga studio: the band stage overlooking the water. Increase your balance and fitness – both physical and mental – and leave each week uplifted and radiant with that overall feeling of well-being! Jim is an author, nutritional expert, former Air Force pilot, and consultant to the U.S. Olympic Ski Team and Mt. Everest expeditions. Please call 284-5050 or email seniors@lovelafayette. org to add your name to the email list. Bring quarters or credit card for the parking meter. Annual senior (62+) parking passes may be purchased at the reservoir Visitor Center. Free Free Peer Counseling 2nd Tuesday monthly • 10AM - noon • Check in at the Lafayette Community Center Front Office - Contra Costa Health Services offers free one-on-one counseling with senior (55+) counselors who use their life experiences to help other older adults cope with life changes, problems, crises, and challenges. Confidentiality is strictly observed. Appointment required. Please call Lafayette Senior Services to sign up for one of the 60minute appointments. Lamorinda Nature Walk and Bird-Watching Wednesdays (Not meeting in June) • 9AM - noon • Alder Room, LSC - Experience nature at its finest along our local trails. Delight in the beauty that unfolds around each bend, all the while learning to identify a variety of birds. Bring a water bottle; binoculars will be helpful if you have them. Join us every Wednesday or whenever you are able. For more information or to place your name on the route email/phone list, call Lafayette Seniors Services. Positive Living Forum (“Happiness Club”) 2nd Thursday monthly • 10:30AM – noon • Elderberry Room, LSC - Brighten your day and take part in this interactive gathering which features discussions on a wide range of
www.yourmonthlypaper.com topics that guide participants toward a more ideal and positive life experience. Drop-ins welcome! Anne Randolph Physical Therapy Presentation: Exercise for Daily Living 6/28 • 11:30AM – 12:30PM • Sequoia Room, LSC - Even if you think you’re too tired or busy to exercise, or that exercise is too boring, think again. Exercise can actually boost your mood, increase your energy, and keep you going strong! Anne will demonstrate simple, low-key exercises you can perform anytime, anywhere. Hearing Screening 1st Wednesday monthly • 1PM – 2:20PM • Check in at Community Center Front - Minimum of two sign-ups required in order for hearing screenings to take place. To reserve one of the 20-minute appointments, contact Lafayette Senior Services. Drop-In Mah Jongg! (Intermediate Level) Tuesdays • 12:30-3:30PM • Cedar Room, LSC - Bring your card and mah jongg set, and join us every Tuesday afternoon for intermediate level play. Smart Driver 4 Hour Refresher Course 7/20 • 9AM - 1:45PM • Toyon Room, LSC - Refine your driving skills, develop safe, defensive techniques, and possibly lower your insurance premium. Max: 25 paid registrants. To reserve your spot, send check, made payable to AARP, to Lafayette Senior Services, 500 St. Mary’s Rd., Lafayette, CA 94549. Refine your driving skills, develop safe, defensive techniques, and possibly lower your insurance premium. Max: 25 paid registrants. To reserve your spot, send check, made payable to AARP, to Lafayette Senior Services, 500 St. Mary’s Rd., Lafayette, CA 94549. $15 AARP Members • $20 Non-Members of AARP
Gertrude continued from front page
students collected recyclable waste from their schools including waterbottles, straws, and other “water themed” material. For the Earth Day event, the base was surrounded by another 500 water bottles which were connected together to a create a lagoon. The foundation of the piece was undertaken
by Dutto who welded a frame and structure. Twenty-five GSE high school students then came to her studio and helped clean and affix materials on the multi-purpose sculpture. If you look closely, you will see hidden behind the water bottles a fully functioning rain barrel collection system. With a connector at the top, rain water from a roof can flow into a barrel, and then a spigot below allows the water to be used. Earth Day participants added a base “lagoon” constructed from additional water bottles. Stop by the Lafayette Community Garden located at 3932 Mt. Diablo Blvd., across from the reservoir, on Tuesday from 4-7PM, Thursday from 9AM-noon, or Saturday from 9AM-1PM, and give Gertrude a visit. To learn more about programs at the Garden, go to www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org.
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JUNE 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 23
LAMORINDA SPIRIT VAN NEWS
By Mary Bruns, Lamorinda Senior Transportation
Getting out of the house to performing arts, cultural, and social events is a key component to reducing isolation and improving overall well-being and quality of life, so we are happy that the Town Hall Theatre has made some tickets available to Lamorinda Spirit passengers for Oscar Wilde’s play An Ideal Husband on Sunday, June 18. Call the Town Hall Box Office at (925) 283-1557 on Tuesday – Friday, 4 - 6PM or Saturday, 2 - 4PM and say, “I would like to reserve # __ of tickets for the Lamorinda Spirit Van Group. Mini-Day Trips: Lunch Driver, Eddie Caravalho and CC Café attendees are planning this summer’s mini-day trips beginning with a trip to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park to visit the Japanese Tea Garden and the de Young Museum on Saturday, June 24. Call (925) 283-3534 to put yourself on the list of potential trip-goers. These trips include stopping at a restaurant for lunch--so much fun! Lamorinda Spirit Van Rides are available to “Let’s Do Lunch” which meets the first Tuesday of the month at 11:30AM. Discover and explore the various dining experiences in the Lamorinda area. Relax, dine, meet new people, socialize, and enjoy lively conversation! Contact Lafayette Senior Services for the schedule of restaurants and to make your reservations: Seniors@LoveLafayette.org or 284-5050. To attend on July 11, please RSVP by July 6. Individuals will pay for their own lunches; the restaurants will provide separate checks. Cost is $10 round-trip. Phone 283-3534 to reserve your ride. The Third Annual Senior Rally Day held in May was put on by the Seniors Count Coalition, a group of nonprofit service and advocacy organizations and associations to raise awareness among legislators and the Governor and provide a coordinated advocacy platform for senior issues. Debbie Toth, CEO of Choice in Aging, reports: “Over 450 seniors and aging advocates stormed the Capitol on May 11th, letting our state policy makers know that seniors count!” Our rally was kicked off by Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de Leon, who spoke passionately about our responsibility to care for our aging population as we are caring for other vulnerable populations. He was followed by a number of Senate and Assembly leaders. Following the lively rally on the lawn, teams of advocates met with health and budget policy experts to advocate for a Senate Committee on Aging and Long Term Care and create joint Senate and Assembly hearings that look at the siloed and fragmented system of care. “Attendees were impressed by the uplifting messages from our elected officials,” reports Advisory Council on Aging President, Shirley Krohn. She added, “Most of the speakers spoke to issues around diversity, equality, and healthcare. I was impressed with the cooperation of the planning team...We now have a blueprint for planning these rallies
Lamorinda Senior Transportation An Alliance of Transportation Providers
Volunteer Drivers – Needed, Valued, and Appreciated We will accommodate your schedule. Call one of the programs below to volunteer.
Lamorinda Spirit Van
925-283-3534
Takes Lamorinda older adults, age 60 and up, to errands, appointments, shopping, classes, and to lunch at the C.C. Café. Wheelchair and walker accessible. WE LOVE TO SAY YES, so call early to make your reservation. ‘LIKE” us at www.facebook.com/lamorindaspiritvan.
Contra Costa Yellow Cab and DeSoto Company 925-284-1234 10% discount for Lamorinda seniors.
Orinda Seniors Around Town
925-402-4506
Mobility Matters Rides for Seniors
925-284-6161
Volunteer drivers serving Orinda seniors with free rides to appointments and errands.
Volunteer drivers serving Contra Costa seniors with free rides to doctors’ appointments during the week. Grocery shopping on Saturdays.
County Connection LINK Reservation Line 925-938-7433 For people with disabilities. (Older adults often have “age-based” disabilities.)
Mobility Matters Information and Referral Line 925-284-6109 Gogograndparent.com 855-464-6872 A way to use UBER or LYFT without an iPhone. Press “0” to speak to an operator.
Senior Rally Day 2017: Right to left: Annette Balter, Episcopal Senior Communities; Shirley Krohn, Senior Assembly Member, California Senior Legislature; unknown
for years to come. It was so impressive that a bus load of seniors came from San Bernardino County. They left at midnight to get here by 9AM.” Advocates for resources to meet the needs of the older adult population are interested not only in senior transportation; they are also interested in developing resources for affordable housing, long term health care, building age-friendly communities, and implementing measures that promote safety from financial and elder abuse. You are welcome to phone or drop in at the Family Justice Center: (925) 521-6366; 2151 Salvio Street, Suite 201, Concord from 9AM to 5PM, Monday through Friday for help with advocacy, peer counseling, emotional support, law-enforcement assistance, safety planning, court accompaniment and support, civil legal services, access to mental health services, access to victims of Crime program, and family law assistance.
C L A S S I F I E D S HANDYMAN SERVICES
Home Services with 30 years experience. •Painting •Plumbing •Electrical •Baseboards •Drywall repair •Picture hanging •New toilets •Repair toilets •Carpentry •Caulking •Grab bars •Pressure washing •Ceramic tile •Water heaters •Dead bolts •Faucets •Garbage disposals •Flooring •Sliding doors and more! Call James, owner, at 925-934-0877.
COMPUTER HELP
ITkid Computer Help with any tech related issue for a low price. Computer Set-up & Repair •Email •Wifi •Smartphone •Home Theater - $40/hr. Contact Max Nunan, (925) 482-5488, maxnunan@gmail.com, www.itkid.co.
AUTOS WANTED We Will Buy or Consign Your Car. All cars displayed in our private and secure showroom. We are a locally family owned dealership serving the Lamorinda and San Ramon Valley for over 30 years in a very relaxed atmosphere. Free pick-up and delivery. 925-820-1188
Lafayette Today Classifieds
Reach over 12,000 homes and businesses in Lafayette - Help Wanted, For Sale, Services, Lessons, Pets, Rentals, Wanted, Freebies... $35 for up to 45 words. $5 for each additional 15 words. Send or email submissions to: 3000F Danville Blvd #117, Alamo, CA 94507 or editor@yourmonthlypaper.com.Run the same classified ad in our sister papers “Alamo Today” or “Danville Today News” and pay half off for your second and/or third ad! Payment by check made out to “The Editors” must be received before ad will print. Your canceled check is your receipt. We reserve the right to reject any ad.
PAGE 24 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • JUNE 2017
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